MULTAN: January 05 –
A vendor selling “Rice Pulao” on his hand cart setup.
MULTAN: January 05 –
Vendor selling and displaying second hand shoes to attract the customers at Faqirabad area during his roadside setup.
PESHAWAR: January 05 –
A shopkeeper busy in arranging and displaying eggs as demand increased during winter season.
FAISALABAD: January 05 –
A juggler showing pet monkey tricks to earn for livelihood.
FAISALABAD: January 05 –
Capital’s public hospitals bear liabilities of Rs12 b impacting quality of health facilities: Dr Nadeem Jan
ISLAMABAD, Jan 05 (APP): Caretaker Minister for National Health Services, Dr Nadeem Jan on Friday told the Upper House of the Parliament that there was no severe shortage of medicines in the public hospitals of the federal capital, however, due to their liabilities of Rs12 billion a decline in healthcare facilities and quality of services was witnessed.
The minister was responding to the queries of the Senators during the question hour session at the commencement of the 334th Session of the Senate chaired by Chairman Senate, Sadiq Sanjrani.
Earlier, the Chairman Senate at the commencement of the proceedings, extended his regards and greetings on Jumma to the members.
Upon the request of Senator Sadia Abbasi, the Chairman Senate urged the House to hold fateha (prayer) on the demise of the late former senator, finance minister and national security advisor Sartaj Aziz who had passed away on January 2, 2024 at the age of 94.
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed on his directive led the prayer and urged the members to also recite fateha for the six labourers killed by the terrorists in North Waziristan.
Senator Sadia Abbasi of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) while paying tribute to the former Senator Sartaj Aziz said he was a towering personality of the country who served for many international organizations, remained general secretary of Muslim League, remained senator, and finance minister.
He had rendered great services in education sector and promoted Beaconhouse School System which was acknowledged by the latter. He wrote many books on the politics, and economics of Pakistan and was an expert in agriculture.
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP) said the caretaker government had denied an increase in the prices of medicines which was regrettable as only 300% increase alone in anti-epileptic drug was noticed.
Responding to the Senator’s query, Caretaker Health Minister Nadeem Jan said there was no increase in medicines during the interim government’s tenure. He said the policy on this matter was formed in 2018 that stated that pharmaceutical companies under CPI can raise 7 percent increase on essential and 10 percent on non-essential medicines.
However, in 2022 the policy was reviewed and it was recommended that 20 percent non-essential and 14 percent on essential can be increased by the pharma companies under CPI, he added.
“The increase in prices of medicines has been according to that policy and if there has been any increase made on other than the mentioned category medicines then the Ministry will take disciplinary action against those elements,” the minister said.
He added that the Ministry was pushed to increase prices of 262 medicines as hardship drugs and it realized the purchasing power capacity of the masses was low and it resisted the motion.
The DRAP, he said had briefed that the pharma companies were producing certain medicines at losses and the Ministry had directed to hold a dialogue and forensic analysis to keep the medicine supply and quality intact.
“The Ministry of Health have launched a 24/7 medicine shortage reporting app, where any citizen can report through his or her mobile phone. We have been monitoring and so far 77 people have reported on it against price hike of medicines and proper action has taken,” he added.
Moreover, he said a round the clock mobile and email services were also at the Ministry and it was also regularly monitoring the market to check the prices.
Responding to queries of Senator Bahramand Tangi, Kamran Murtaza and Mushtaq Ahmed, he said the reason for shortage of medicines or services in public hospital was due to Rs12 billion liabilities in lieu off medicines, utility bills, equipment and others.
However, without technical grant, he said the Ministry through additional funds managed funding from other fiscal quarters of the division to ensure supply of medicine to the public hospitals and there was no severe shortage of medicine but rather it was limited.
He rejected the Senator Tangi’s question pertaining to donor funding and said that the WHO and UNICEF never give funding but rather provide in kind support to the Ministry as they make their procurements on their own.
“Their support is through investments in cancer treatment from their own system including $550 million for cancer and $777 million in TB, and it has relationship with floods as they have also given in kind support in the form of kits, medicines, equipment etc., as well,” he said.
Nadeem Jan informed that no case was reported of new variant of COVID so far and the authorities concerned were on red alert.
“Points of entry have been strengthened and mandated with an out of the way effort to random check new variant prevalence. The Lab system across the country is active. The Ministry have done training in all provinces and experts trained in 150 districts with disease spread and response,” he said.
Two terrorists killed in Tank Operation
RAWALPINDI, Jan 05 (APP): The security forces on Friday killed two terrorists including a high-value target, involved in hostile activities against security forces, extortion and killing of innocent civilians during an operation in Tank.
According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release, the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Tank District, on the reported presence of terrorists on the night of January 4& 5.
During the conduct of operation, after an intense fire exchange, two terrorists, including high-value target Gul Yousaf alias Toor, were killed.
Terrorist Gul Yousaf remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces including high-profile terrorist attacks in Tank and DI Khan districts as well as extortion and target killing of innocent civilians.
He was highly wanted by law-enforcement agencies and the Government had fixed the head money of PKR 2.5 Million on him.
Local populace appreciated the efforts of the security forces in maintaining peace and stability in the area.
Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country.
Dr. Riaz inaugurates new year’s maiden anti-polio drive
PESHAWAR, Jan 05 (APP): Advisor to the caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Health, Dr. Riaz Anwar inaugurated the current year’s first polio vaccination campaign by administering drops to two children at Police Services Hospital, Civil Secretariat here Friday, with a target of making 2024 as `year of complete eradication’ of the crippling disease from the country.
Officials of Health Department including Deputy Coordinator EOC, Muhammad Zeeshan, Sarfaraz Khan from WHO and Shadab Younas from UNICEF Communication were present on the occasion.
Talking to newsmen, Dr. Riaz apprised that the polio drive would be carried out in the whole of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in two phases. The first phase will commence on January 8 to 14, next wherein polio drops will be administered in all the districts except Lakki Marwat, Upper and Lower Orakzai district.
The second phase of the campaign will kick off on January 15 to 19, next for coverage of children in Lakki Marwat, Upper and Lower Orakzai district, Dr. Riaz told media persons.
In all a total of 7.4 million children will be covered in polio drive by around 32,000 teams. Around 50,000 police personnel will provide security to polio teams, he added.
Dr. Riaz expressed the hope for better results of this campaign in wake of cooperation by religious scholars especially in Bannu district where three polio cases out of total four were registered in 2023.
He said he personally visited the Southern region and met with religious scholars with request of cooperation in convincing parents for inoculation of their children.
He admitted that still refusal by parents were faced in some areas, but efforts would be made by involving religious leaders and community elders for convincing them to cover all the children.
We also have challenges from security point of view due to attack on polio teams, but are determined to continue our struggle for protection of children and coming generation from this crippling disease. It is very ironical that polio is eradicated from the globe except from Pakistan and Afghanistan, he remarked.
In response to a question about checking of cross border movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Dr. Riaz said teams have been deputed at different points for administration of polio drops to arriving children. He said religious scholars are fully cooperating with government by throwing light on importance of polio drop in their Friday sermons.
He also requested the media person to play their effective role in removal of misconception among people about polio drops. He said media men should highlight the loss and suffering being faced by a child after contracting polio and difficulties his family and relatives faced due to disability.
In response to a question about preventive measures in the wake of infection of new variant of crorona virus, Advisor to CM on Health said from Tuesday (January 9) separate space would be reserved in ICUs of major hospital for treatment of patients.
The prevention is the same as adopted during corona infection and people are advised to use mask, keep distance, don’t stay in congested areas, ensure crossing of fresh air in room, regular hand washing etc, he added.
Science Minister announces creation of IRADA
ISLAMABAD, Jan 05 (APP): Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Umar Saif Friday announced the creation of the first-ever organization IRADA linking defence, industry and academia.
In a tweet, the federal minister stated that “after four months of effort we have finally created IRADA (Pakistan’s equivalent of DARPA), linking the Research and Development needs of the defence sector with our universities and industry”.
IRADA will be hosted at NUST and will have an independent board and funding to carry out state-of-the-art research and product development critical for our national security and economy, the tweet said.
CM inaugurates Special Initiative Police Stations of Cantt & Saddar Baroni
RAWALPINDI, Jan 05 (APP): Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi here on Friday inaugurated the Special Initiative Police Stations of Cantt and Saddar Baroni.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, Regional Police Officer, Rawalpindi Syed Khurram Ali, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, Liaquat Ali Chatta, City Police Officer, Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Hamdani and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
Talking to the media, the chief minister said that police stations across Punjab were being renovated under the Special Initiative Police Station program.
Two days ago, 36 police stations of 36 districts were inaugurated, he said adding, today, in the second phase, 36 more police stations were inaugurated.
The objective of the initiative is to provide the best service delivery in the best environment to the citizens, the CM added.
Mohsin Naqvi appreciated the RPO, CPO Rawalpindi and their team for the excellent work under Special Initiative Police
Stations of Cantt and Saddar Baroni.
He directed the authorities to complete the Safe City project and CPO office in one month.
The CM also announced to provide Rs 180 million for the completion of the CPO office project.
He instructed to complete the Safe City Project and CPO Office Rawalpindi by January 30.
30 percent reduction in crime was recorded across Punjab, he informed.
All possible measures were being taken for the convenience of the citizens and to ensure the best service delivery.
Unveiling “A Mirror’s Tale”, PNCA celebrates Hussain Jamil’s reflective artistry
ISLAMABAD, Jan 05 (APP): Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) on Friday proudly presents the highly anticipated solo exhibition by acclaimed artist Hussain Jamil, titled “A Mirror’s Tale.”
The exhibition, hosted by the Visual Arts Division, opened its doors on Friday, January 5th, at 3 PM, marking a significant cultural moment in the capital’s art scene.
The inauguration, graced by His Excellency, Mr. Mohamed Karmoune, Ambassador of Morocco to Pakistan, and Mr. M. Ayoub Jamali, Director-General of PNCA, received an enthusiastic reception. This esteemed event showcased Jamil’s masterful manipulation of reflective surfaces, captivating patrons and art enthusiasts alike.
Spanning the prestigious Grand Hall and Gallery 1 of PNCA, the exhibition, despite the artist’s absence at the opening ceremony, conveyed Jamil’s profound appreciation for PNCA and its patrons through a heartfelt video message. His insights into the works and admiration for the institution resonated deeply with the audience.
Jamil’s artistic finesse navigated the enigmatic world of reflections, transforming reflective surfaces into canvases that mirrored reality while transcending into realms beyond.
His creations, more than mere arrangements of reflective materials, served as symphonies of storytelling, weaving narratives through fractured and crumbled sheets, whispering tales of depth and intrigue.
“Welcome to a mesmerizing journey through the realms of perception and illusion,” shared Jamil. “My art aimed to explore the multifaceted nature of reality, where reflections became gateways to understanding the layers that cloak our perceptions.”
Each artwork in this exhibition invited introspection, prompting viewers to contemplate the essence of existence as fragments and reflections converged to compose narratives laden with hidden stories.
“We invited art enthusiasts, patrons, and the curious-minded to immerse them in this collection,” invited Mr. M. Ayoub Jamali, Director-General of PNCA. “Hussain Jamil’s profound artistic expression captured the beauty found in imperfections, beckoning us to explore the complexities of the human experience.”
The exhibition, running until January 20th, provided a unique opportunity to engage with the reflective artistry of Hussain Jamil.
Additionally, upon the artist’s arrival in Pakistan, the Visual Arts Division planned to host an artist talk, offering complementary insights into his works and artistic journey.
As viewers wandered through this thought-provoking collection, they were encouraged to allow the reflections to guide them through a labyrinth of interpretations, discovering the beauty within the fractures and folds of Jamil’s remarkable creations.
For further information and updates on PNCA events, please visit the PNCA social media platforms.