Seafood exports up by 2.2% to $18.9 mln in July
ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):The seafood exports from the country increased by 2.2 percent during the month of July 2023 as compared to the corresponding month of last year, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported.
The exports of fish and fish preparations during July 2023 were recorded at $18.980 million against the exports of $18.572 million in July 2022, an increase of 2.2 percent.
In terms of quantity, the exports witnessed 27.22 percent increase going up from 8,084 million in July 2022 to 10,284 million in July 2023, according to PBS data.
On a month-on-month basis, the seafood exports declined by 52.12 percent when compared to the exports of $39.644 million in June 2023, according to PBS data.
In terms of quantity, fish exports went down by 45.11 percent in July 2023 compared to the exports of 18,735 metric tons in June 2023.
It is pertinent to mention here that the trade deficit witnessed a decline of 41.16 percent during the first month of the current fiscal year (2023-24) as compared to the corresponding month of last year.
The trade deficit during the month under review was recorded at $1.607 billion against the deficit of $2.731 billion in July 2022, a decline of 41.16 percent. The exports during the month were recorded at $2.057 billion against $2.250 billion last year, showing a decline of 8.57 percent.
On the other hand, the imports witnessed a sharp decline of 26.44 percent by falling from $4.981 billion last year to $3.664 billion during July 2023.
Pakistan earns $892mln by exporting transport services during FY 2023
ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Pakistan earned US $892.890 million by providing different transport services in various countries during the current fiscal year (2022-23) as compared to the corresponding period of last year.
This shows a growth of 9.69 per cent as compared to $813.980 million earned through the provision of services during the corresponding period of the fiscal year (2021-22), the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported.
During the period under review, the exports of sea transport services witnessed an increase of 74.76 per cent, going up from $146.650 million last year to $256.290 million during the year under review.
Among the sea transport services, the exports of freight services surged by 38.65 per cent from $94.610 million last year to $131.180 million whereas the exports of other sea transport services also increased by 140.41 per cent from $52.040 million to $125.110 million current year, the PBS data revealed.
The exports of air transport services however witnessed a decrease of 4.47 per cent, declining from $644.160 million last year to $615.360 million during July-June (2022-23).
Among the air transport services, the exports of passenger services dipped by 1.65 per cent, from $427.440 million to $420.380 million, whereas the exports of freight services declined by 25.10 per cent, from $32.950 million to $24.680 million, in addition, the export of other air transport services dipped by 7.33 per cent from $183.770 million to $170.300 million.
Meanwhile, the exports of road transport services during the year under review witnessed a nominal decline of 1.23 per cent by going down from $14.660 million to $14.480 million during this year, it added.
Among the road transport services, the exports of freight services increased by 4.55 percent, from $4.180 million to $4.370 million during the fiscal year under review, while other road services dipped by 3.53 percent to $ 10.480 million from $10.110 million.
The export of postal and courier services also decreased by 20.56 per cent, from $8.510 million to $6.760 million, the data revealed.
State Life Insurance Company agrees to continue Health Cards facilities
PESHAWAR, Aug 24 (APP):The State Life Insurance Company on Thursday agreed to provide services on health facility cards by restoring treatment on Health Card by August 31.
In this connection the State Life Insurance Company has informed Chief Executive Officer Health Card Plus of their decision as the premium under the program has increased to Rs 85.3 billion with Rs 52 billion has been released in premium of Rs 85.3 billion.
In the letter to the CEO of Health Card Plus, the State Life Insurance Company said that the company is facing a loss of Rs 33.3 billion due to low money return. The letter has also included the pending money to various hospitals as the hospital liabilities have also increased by Rs 14.6 billion.
The letter says that State Life has already been forced to suspend hospital claims due to a lack of funds and late release compelling them to suspend the facility.
It has been agreed that the Treatment would continue till August 31 after giving assurances of payments within a week. State Life Insurance Company is happy to resume its services on the assurance given by the Adviser of the Chief Minister of Health. It has also promised to issue Rs 10 billion by August 31.
RPO reviews security arrangements for Bulleh Shah urs
KASUR, Aug 24 (APP):Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sheikhupura Region Babur Sarfraz Alpa and District Police Officer (DPO) Kasur Tariq Aziz Sindhu visited Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah’s shrine to attend saint’s 266th urs celebrations, laid chador on the grave and offered Fateha.
They reviewed security arrangements for the mazar and the visitors. While giving briefing, the DPO said that the pilgrims would use Tehsildar Chowk gate to enter the Darbar while the Railway Road gate would be used for exit.
The security arrangements would be monitored by 125 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, installed in the Darbar.
The DPO said that 1,648 police personnel were performing their duties in three shifts. The surroundings had been cordoned off with 25 pickets to ensure safety of visitors, he said and added that the premises of Darbar would be searched and swept with technical devices, while the surroundings would be searched with sniffer dogs.
The DPO said that eight points had been allocated for parking of vehicles and motorcycles and all parking stands had been provided police security along with installation of CCTV cameras. More than 300 traffic police officials would perform duty to control traffic, he added.
He appealed to the pilgrims to help the police to ensure foolproof security arrangements.
The RPO expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the Kasur Police.
56 FIRs, registered for violating dengue SOPs in 24 hours
RAWALPINDI, Aug 24 (APP):District Health Authority(DHA) had lodged 56 FIRs and sealed 18 premises on violations of anti-dengue SOPs during the last 24 hours.
District Coordinator Epidemics Prevention and Control (DCEPC), Dr Sajjad Mehmood said that the health department, in collaboration with allied departments, had issued tickets to 12 and imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 on violations of dengue SOPs during the last 24 hours.
Presently, the health officer informed that 28 patients having positive symptoms were admitted to different health facilities in the district while the district total tally had reached 124 cases.
The health officer informed that eight more patients were reported during the last 24 hours .
Among the new cases, three patients had arrived from Potohar town urban area,two of each from Chaklala Cantonment and Municipal Corporation area and one from Potohar rural area.
Dr Sajjad further informed that most of the cases were reported from the Rawalpindi Cantonment and Potohar town areas where required response activity was being carried out to eliminate larvae.
However,he urged the residents to remove stagnant water, especially after rain in outdoor and household settings to stop mosquitoes from breeding.
Caretaker CM expresses anger over lack of life saving medicines in Sindh
KARACHI, Aug 24 (APP):The Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh Justice (R) Maqbool Baqar has expressed his anger over the lack of life-saving medicines across the province.
According to a statement issued here on Thursday, the Caretaker Chief Minister has instructed the Provincial Health Minister Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz over the telephone to take action against the sale of substandard medicines in hospitals and markets.
The CM asked the minister of health to ensure the provision of quality medicines in all public sector hospitals. He also sought a report on the shortage of life-saving medicines.
Justice(R) Maqbool Baqar asked the officers concerned that action must be initiated against responsible elements as they will not be allowed to play with the lives of innocent people.
The health department officers were directed that proper inspection of medicine markets should be ensured so that action could be taken against responsible elements.
The Caretaker CM also directed the health minister that Anti Dengue and Malaria Control programs should be made more effective.
In order to stop the spread of malaria and dengue virus, the Caretaker CM directed local body institutions to conduct anti-mosquito spray in respective areas.
State land record in Sialkot district being computerised: DC
SIALKOT, Aug 24 (APP):Deputy Commissioner Adnan Mehmood Awan has said that on the directions of the Punjab government, the state land record of all provincial departments in Sialkot district is being computerised.
He was addressing a meeting at his office in connection with review of the state land in the district. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Revenue Muhammad Iqbal, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Sialkot Ghulam Sarwar, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Daska Faisal Ahmed, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Sambrial Ahsan Cheema and Tehsildars of all four tehsils.
DC Adnan Mehmood Awan directed the assistant commissioners in their respective tehsils should retrieve the government land from illegal occupants and in this regard, follow-up reports should be presented in courts regularly.
He said a comprehensive report should be prepared about the state land, which was yet to be transferred to the approved housing societies.
The deputy commissioner said that lease and rent agreements for all shops and commercial properties in the district council and municipal corporation should be finalised according to the business plan of the government.
He directed the assistant commissioner to get ISO certificate for THQ hospitals in their tehsils and improve washrooms and sanitation facilities there and carry out whitewashing in addition to necessary building repairs.
He said that the condition of the hospital should be improved and Tehsil Health Council should be made functional.
Naheed Iqrar’s poetry book published
ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):The poetry book titled “Mera Unvaan Tum Ho” written by the famous writer Naheed Iqrar, published on Friday will serve as a treat for literature lovers across the country.
The book poetry of Naheed Iqrar has been published by Mavra Publishers Lahore and is ready to capture space in the book shops, according to a news release.
Hailing a famous literary family in Pakistan Naheed Iqrar has been writing poetry for the last 40 years and had been editor of her college magazine in the early 80s.
She is a popular voice of Radio Pakistan and has been awarded Outstanding Voice status from Radio Pakistan Lahore station.
By profession a Radio broadcaster, Naheed did her master’s degrees in Urdu literature and Philosophy from Government College Lahore (now known as GCU).
According to famous poet Shoaib Bin Aziz, Naheed explains life experiences not as a woman but rather as a human who has to go through phases, and changes and has to face the brunt of life if wants to stay on the honest and right side of the history.
Her book is available at Marva Publishers Lahore. The writer’s husband, Agha Iqrar Haroon is also the author of a book titled ‘How Does Superclass Rules the Nations- A Case Study from Pakistan’.