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Four environmental samples test positive for poliovirus

By
Raiq Qureshi
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0
ISLAMABAD, Sep 07 (APP):Four environmental samples collected in the month of August have tested positive for poliovirus.
The virus was isolated from a sewage sample collected from Shaheen Muslim Town in Peshawar on August 17, from two samples collected from two tributaries of Naray Khuwar in Peshawar on August 22, and from a sample collected from a site in Karachi Keamari on August 17, Pakistan Polio Laboratory at the National Institute of Health said on Thursday.
The lab, which also serves as the WHO Regional Reference Lab for poliovirus confirmed that genetic testing has linked the virus in all samples to the cluster circulating in Afghanistan.
Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan said the detection of the virus in multiple environmental samples is highly concerning because it means children are at consistent risk.
“Borders mean nothing to viruses, they move with people and infect the most vulnerable children,” he said.
“Thorough epidemiological investigations will be held for each detection to identify the affected populations and plan swift responses to build immunity.”
Dr Jan said Pakistan and Afghanistan are fighting this disease together, and urged parents to ensure that their children are up to date on routine immunization and receive the oral polio vaccine repeatedly, ensuring strong immunity to fight off infections.
“Every virus detection is a stark reminder of the collective responsibility we hold to protect our communities. I urge parents and caregivers to vaccinate their children in every immunization round and create awareness on the high risk that wild poliovirus poses to our children,” Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Shallwani added.
Peshawar has now reported 10 consecutive positive environmental samples since April, while this is the second positive sample reported from Karachi this year.
Pakistan has reported 21 positive environmental samples overall, while two children have been confirmed to be paralyzed by wild polio in 2023.
A vaccination campaign was held in Peshawar and Karachi from August 7 to 13 to vaccinate children under five.

Police arrest 16 for possessing illegal weapons, liquor

By
NNPS Desk
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RAWALPINDI, Sep 07 (APP): Rawalpindi district police on the directives of the Senior Superintendent of Police, Operations Rawalpindi conducted raids in different areas and netted 16 accused for possessing five illegal pistols, ammunition and 165 litres of liquor.

According to a police spokesman, Taxila, Wah Cantt, Saddar Baroni, Kahuta, Naseerabad, Dhamial and Rawat police conducted raids in their respective jurisdiction and arrested 16 namely Abdul Hadi, Jamshaid, Kamran, Zeeshan, Arshad, Zahid, Sardar Badshah, Israr, Yasir, Rashid, Mujeeb, Atif, Hameedullah, Aqib and Muhammad Sheraz and recovered 165 litres liquor, five pistols and ammunition from their possession.

The SSP said that strict action by the law was being taken against the lawbreakers and operations against aerial firing and illegal weapon holders would continue.

AIOU to celebrate Golden Jubilee in 2024

By
NNPS Desk
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0
AIOU

ISLAMABAD, Sep 07 (APP): Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood on Thursday said that the university would celebrate its Golden Jubilee in 2024.

It was decided during a meeting in which discussed plans for the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the university, said a news release.

As AIOU will mark its 50th anniversary next year, he instructed the Deans, Professors and Principal Officers to ensure the participation of students in the celebrations.

Various committees have been formed by the university administration to finalize preparations for the event.

These committees will be responsible for highlighting the historical context of the university, setting up a history corner, and organizing alumni associations, conferences, seminars, and convocations in the main campus and provincial capitals.

All committees have started working with full enthusiasm to celebrate the 50 years of AIOU.

It is pertinent to mention here that the university began its journey in 1974 with basic courses.

Subsequently, intermediate and BA level programs were introduced, followed by MA and MSc level programs in the 1990s and then MPhil and PhD level programs.

Today, AIOU stands as the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and has largely achieved its founding objectives.

As of June 2023, more than 46 lakh students have graduated from AIOU.

It is worth mentioning that this university started from a rented house and now operates 54 regional offices in different cities across the country.

Since its establishment, the university has made significant progress in various fields, which is why it has decided to celebrate its Golden Jubilee on the completion of 50 years.

Ashfaq Ahmad remembered on death anniversary

By
Sadia Saeed
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0

Ashfaq Ahmad remembered on death anniversary

RPO inspects security arrangements finalized for Chehlum procession

By
NNPS Desk
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0

RAWALPINDI, Sep 07 (APP): Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Syed Khurram Ali here on Thursday visited the route of the main Chehlum procession and checked security arrangements finalized to provide foolproof security cover to the mourners.

On the occasion, City Police Officer, Syed Khalid Hamdani, Deputy Commissioner, Hassan Waqar Cheema and senior officers of law enforcement agencies were present.

The RPO also visited the control room set up to monitor the route and reviewed all the arrangements.

He directed the officers concerned to ensure foolproof security cover, particularly for the main procession.

According to a police spokesman, Rawalpindi District Police had finalized the best possible security arrangements for Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

He informed that the CPO had directed the police officers to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the Chehlum and utilize all available resources to provide tight security cover to the mourners.

More than 4,000 police personnel were deployed for the security of the processions with 250 Traffic Wardens and City Traffic officers to regulate traffic on city roads, he added.

A control room had been set up in the office of the City Police Officer in Rawalpindi to ensure implementation of the security plan, he said.

He further informed that CCTV cameras were installed to monitor the procession.

Three-layer security would be provided to the processions, and walk-through gates were installed at the entry points of the processions, he said adding, that the participants were being allowed to join the main procession after a full body search.

According to CPO, under the security arrangements, no one would be allowed to stand on the rooftops of commercial and residential buildings situated along the procession routes.

Snipers were also deployed for the security of the main procession, he said.

The CPO informed that searching and sweeping of the main procession route was carried out and streets, roads, diversion points and other routes along the main procession route were sealed.

All available resources were being utilized to ensure foolproof security for Chehlum, the CPO added.

Police arrest 16 drug peddlers on recovery of 16 kg charras

By
NNPS Desk
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0

RAWALPINDI, Sep 07 (APP): Rawalpindi police in an action against suspected drug peddlers conducted raids in different areas and rounded up 16 accused on recovery of over 16 kg charras and other items.
According to a police spokesman, Naseerabad police netted Ghulam Rasool with 1400 grams charras and Naeem for having 1320 grams charras.
City police held waqar and recovered 1250 grams charras from his possession.
Saddar Wah police in their operation managed to recover 1200 grams charras from Danish and 1150 grams charras from the possession of Shehbaz.
Similarly, Sadiqabad, Saddar Baroni, Race Course, Wah Cantt, R.A.Bazar and Westridge police nabbed Aqib, Jannat Gul, Jahangir, Jaffar Hussain, Rizwan, and Jamshaid and recovered 2200, 2050, 1800, 1160, 1250 and 1200 grams charras respectively.
Separate cases have been registered against all accused while further investigations are underway.
City Police Officer, Rawalpindi had directed the police officers to accelerate ongoing operations against drug peddlers, bootleggers and other lawbreakers, he added.

Fertilizer industry can drive agricultural transformation under Green Initiative Pakistan

By
Najam ul Hassan
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0
fertilizers import

KARACHI, Sep 7 (APP):: Pakistan is the only country out of the top five major urea consumers – including China, Brazil, USA, and India – that is, unfortunately, not investing in capacity growth over the next five years, even though it is facing a rapid surge in population.

A robust domestic fertilizer industry can prove to be an invaluable partner for the Government to help achieve greater food security and agricultural exports under the Green Initiative Pakistan.

“As the fertilizer production in Pakistan has stagnated over time, the Government is forced to spend increasingly significant amounts of valuable foreign exchange to import urea. To transform the agriculture sector under the Green Initiative, it is crucial to prioritize sustainable gas supplies for the fertilizer sector and resolution of other outstanding issues. It could potentially aid the export of excess production and earn much-needed foreign exchange for Pakistan,” Brig Sher Shah added.

Brig Sher Shah, Executive Director of Fertilizer Manufacturers of Pakistan Advisory Council (FMPAC) said that, “The importance of a strong indigenous fertilizer manufacturing industry cannot be underscored enough to achieve sustained economic growth and the envisaged goals of Green Initiative Pakistan. The fertilizer industry stands with the Government to play its pivotal role in the next green revolution through abundant and affordable supplies of urea, balanced use of fertilizers, improved agri practices and upskilling of our hardworking farmers.”

He highlighted the success of Fertilizer Policy 2001 in attracting around PKR 162 billion in new plants and capacity expansions of almost 2 million tons by the fertilizer manufacturers. The industry has also completely passed on the benefit of incentivized gas pricing under Fertilizer Policy 2001 to the farmers by selling urea at significant discount to international prices.

Brig Sher Shah also expressed support for the Government’s resolve to curb blackmarketing and hoarding of urea. “These illegal activities result in higher market prices for the farmers and create a false impression that fertilizer manufacturers are earning unreasonable profits. The industry earnings are in line with any other key sector of the economy, whereas it has always shielded the farmers from higher international urea prices and contributed towards the country’s food security.”

He shared that an improvement in crop support prices and availability of cheaper domestically produced urea have resulted in considerable improvement in farm economics. Data shows that, currently, a farmer can barter one urea bag to equivalent of around 30kg wheat, while in past years it was tradeable for 58kg. Contrary to popular perception that urea comprises a higher share of farmers’ costs, urea cost was around only 7 percent of wheat production cost per acre. Based on field surveys, urea also remains a minor cost of around 3 percent of the farmer’s total household spend.

Jan lauds COAS intervention against mafias

By
Raiq Qureshi
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0
COAS Asim Munir
QUETTA, Sep 07 (APP):Information Minister Jan Achakzai has welcomed the intervention of the Army Chief and said that mafias have been checked by the timely intervention of the Army Chief and his team.
He said that the mafias wanted to create utter chaos in the currency market by black marketing.
He said that things have improved, and now the State Bank and Finance will use this opportunity to improve the systems.
The minister also said that smuggling has also come down and the price of sugar has stabilized.
He said that the Chief Minister of Balochistan has taken social measures to check electricity thefts and sugar smuggling, in line with the desire of Prime Minister Anwarul Haq.

Funeral prayers of martyred constable

By
Raiq Qureshi
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0
police constable
DG KHAN, Sep 07 (APP):Funeral prayers for a constable who embraced martyrdom during an attack by unknown muggers were offered at police lines on Thursday.
A large number of people, besides relatives of Ghulam Hassan and RPO Sajjad  Hassan Khan, DPO Hassan Afzal, and police staff, attended the funeral. The martyr was given a state funeral, wherein a smartly turned-out contingent of the police presented a gun salute.
The RPO consoled the heirs and told them that the Punjab police would extend financial assistance to the kids and the wife of the constable. He stated that the accused would be brought to book soon, adding that Shaheed’s blood would not go in vain.
DPO Hassan Afzal paid rich tribute to the martyr, saying that the police would not hesitate to render sacrifice for the safety of the masses. Later, the deceased was laid to rest in his native town Mouza Raman, in the Shah Sadruddin Kala area.

Defence and Martyrs Day commemorated in Ankara

By
Najam ul Hassan
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0

ISLAMABAD, Sep 7 (APP):Pakistan’s Defence and Martyrs Day was commemorated in Ankara with enthusiasm and patriotism, paying tribute and homage to the indomitable courage of the armed forces and martyrs who sacrificed their lives in successfully defending the motherland.

The event was organized by the embassy of Pakistan in Turkiye and was attended by Turkish Minister of Trade Prof. Dr Omer Bolat who graced the occasion as chief guest and Commander Turkish General Staff (TGS) General Metin Gurak as guest of honour, a message received from the embassy said on Thursday.

Highlighting the significance of September 6, at Defence Day reception hosted at Pakistan House, Ankara, ambassador Dr. Yousaf Junaid said that the 16-day war, left a lesson that peace-loving, brave and self-respecting nations, determined to sacrifice lives for their country could not be defeated by force and belligerence.

“Over the last 76 years, three major wars, several skirmishes and numerous rounds of unprovoked clashes have been imposed on Pakistan. India continues its illegal and immoral military occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and denies the right of self-determination to Kashmiris against every norm of international law and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council”, the ambassador added.

Ambassador Junaid reiterated that Pakistan is committed to regional peace and security and has contributed significantly in global campaigns against terrorism and peace-keeping missions all over the world. The ambassador stated that Pakistan believes in constructive engagement, resolving issues through dialogue and peaceful co-existence and thanked the Turkish nation for standing with Pakistan and Pakistani people through thick and thin.

In his remarks, Turkish Minister of Trade Prof. Dr Omer Bolat appreciated exemplary and historic bilateral relations, in particular flourishing defence ties and excellent cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.

He underscored that strategic and comprehensive Pakistan Turkiye bilateral relations are an important factor towards promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond.

While highlighting the strategic Pakistan Turkiye partnership, Commander Turkish General Staff (TGS), General Metin Gurak paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs and valour of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

The nation commemorates Defence Day on 6th September each year to honour the sacrifices of Pakistan’s valiant armed forces, the professionalism, dedication and devotion with which they have served the nation. The 1965 war stands out in Pakistani history as a symbol of unwavering national resolve, courage, strong will and unmatched spirit of sacrifice.

High ranking Turkish civil and military officials, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, defence & military Attaches, media persons and members of Pakistani community also attended the reception.

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