Heat wave cancels lessons for half of Pakistan’s schoolchildren

Heat wave cancels lessons for half of Pakistan’s schoolchildren
Students use an umbrella to protect themselves from heat as they travel on a bike after attending their school, in Lahore, Pakistan, on May 21, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 23 May 2024
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Heat wave cancels lessons for half of Pakistan’s schoolchildren

Heat wave cancels lessons for half of Pakistan’s schoolchildren
  • Some 26 million students will be out of lessons from Saturday in Punjab as temperature soars
  • Met Office has forecast three heatwaves, one underway and two set to hit in early and late June

LAHORE, Pakistan: Half of Pakistan’s pupils will be shut out of schools for a week as the nation takes crisis measures to lessen the effect of a series of heat waves, officials said Thursday.

Some 26 million students will be out of lessons from Saturday in Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, which has ordered schools to close for the summer break one week early because of the soaring temperatures.

The early closure was confirmed by a spokesperson for Punjab’s Education Department.
Pakistan’s meteorological office has forecast three heat waves — one already underway and two more set to hit in early and late June.

Temperatures in Punjab are currently six to eight degrees Celsius above normal, the disaster management agency said, with the provincial capital Lahore due for 46 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) at the weekend.

The government’s Coordinator on Climate Change and Environment told journalists in Islamabad on Thursday that “global warming is causing a sudden change in weather patterns.”

Parts of Pakistan are facing power cuts of up to 15 hours as demand for fans and air conditioning surges, leaving students sweltering at their desks.

The Save the Children NGO said the 26 million Punjabi schoolchildren with lessons canceled account for 52 percent of pre-primary, primary and secondary students in Pakistan.

“Prolonged exposure to intense heat impacts children’s ability to learn and to concentrate and this puts their education at risk,” country director Muhammad Khuram Gondal said.

“Excess heat is also potentially lethal to children.”

The UN children’s agency UNICEF said more than three-quarters of children in South Asia — or 460 million — are exposed to temperatures above 35C (95F) for at least 83 days per year.

It warned that children are at risk of “dehydration, higher body temperature, rapid heartbeat, cramps... and coma.”

Pakistan is responsible for less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

However, the nation of 240 million ranks high among countries vulnerable to extreme weather events, which scientists have linked to climate change.

A third of Pakistan was submerged by unprecedented monsoon rains in 2022 that displaced millions of people.

It was also battered by above-normal rainfall last month that killed at least 144 people in the wettest April recorded since 1961, with more deluges forecast this summer.

Lahore’s students also saw lessons cut this winter when schools were shut as the megacity was enveloped by choking smog.


Pakistan tax-to-GDP ratio rises 10.8% in FY25 second quarter, below IMF target

Pakistan tax-to-GDP ratio rises 10.8% in FY25 second quarter, below IMF target
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Pakistan tax-to-GDP ratio rises 10.8% in FY25 second quarter, below IMF target

Pakistan tax-to-GDP ratio rises 10.8% in FY25 second quarter, below IMF target
  • Pakistan navigating challenging economic recovery path buttressed by $7 billion IMF program that comes with tough measures 
  • Senate Standing Committee of Revenue expresses concerns over Federal Bureau of Revenue’s handling of sales tax collection

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio rose to 10.8% in the second quarter of the 2024-25 fiscal year, a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue said on Thursday, below the target of 13.6% agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when it approved a $7 billion bailout loan for the cash-strapped country last year. 
The South Asian nation is navigating a challenging economic recovery path buttressed by the 37-month loan program that comes with tough measures especially on the taxation front, such as broadening the tax base to include previously undertaxed sectors such as agriculture, industrialists, and developers, abolishing exemptions and bringing the retail, agriculture, and export sectors into the normal income tax regime and imposing new taxes on the construction and sale of buildings and plots, and on milk and lubricating oil. 
The bailout has also called for increasing the tax rate on farm income, continuing fiscal consolidation to reduce the deficit and improve fiscal discipline, improving tax administration and compliance, strengthening federal-provincial institutional arrangements and improving public investment management.
“The tax-to-GDP ratio has risen to 10.8% in the second quarter [of FY24-25], up from 9.5% in the first quarter, although it remains below the IMF-agreed target of 13.6% by the end of the program,” said a press release after the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue met on Thursday. “By comparison, India’s tax-to-GDP ratio stands at 18%.”
During the meeting, the committee was briefed on Pakistan’s current revenue shortfall of Rs384 billion for the first half of the fiscal year. The FBR collected Rs5,624 billion in taxes, falling short of the targeted Rs6,008 billion. 
Senator Saleem Mandviwala, the chair of the committee, expressed concerns over the Federal Bureau of Revenue’s handling of sales tax collection.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb responded by highlighting ongoing reforms, including a move to simplify income tax forms for salaried individuals and a push for transparency in tax collection through technological innovations.
Aurangzeb also discussed the government’s intention to separate tax policy from FBR operations in the next financial year, aiming to ease the burden on the salaried class.
“We are taking steps to keep the tax form simple and easy,” he added.
The committee also stressed the need for reforms to reduce the administrative burden on taxpayers while ensuring that tax collection remained “efficient and fair.”
The possibility of converting certain taxes into a carbon tax, a proposal raised by Senator Sherry Rahman, was also discussed. 
“While the finance minister acknowledged the World Bank’s 10-year $20 billion Country Partnership Framework, which includes climate and carbon concerns, some members, including Senator Farooq H. Naik, raised concerns about the impact of a carbon tax on inflation and its effect on the poor,” the statement said. 
Under the IMF deal, the highest effective tax rate on farm income can rise to as much as 45% from the current 15%. It will be implemented from this year, a move that was termed “unprecedented” by brokerage and investment banking firm JS Global at the time the loan was approved last year.
“These changes could contribute to inflation, particularly in food prices, affecting consumers nationwide,” said Ghasharib Shaokat, head of product at Pakistan Agriculture Research, adding that larger farmers will be affected more.
Inflation averaged close to 30% in FY23 and 23.4% in FY24, which ended on June 30. The consumer inflation rate slowed to 4.1% year on year in December, the lowest in more than 6.5 years.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government is based on a weak coalition and faces political pressure from the party of popular jailed opposition leader, former premier Imran Khan.
But Sharif says his government is committed to the tough but unavoidable reforms mandated by the IMF. 
Pakistan has been struggling with boom-and-bust cycles for decades, leading to 22 IMF bailouts since 1958.


Pakistan lagging in EV production, only 60,000 produced against 600,000 target — senate body

Pakistan lagging in EV production, only 60,000 produced against 600,000 target — senate body
Updated 30 January 2025
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Pakistan lagging in EV production, only 60,000 produced against 600,000 target — senate body

Pakistan lagging in EV production, only 60,000 produced against 600,000 target — senate body
  • Pakistan has said it will cut power tariff for operators of EV charging stations by 45% as part of ongoing reform of energy sector
  • BYD Pakistan says up to 50% of all vehicles bought in Pakistan by 2030 will be electrified in some form in line with global targets

KARACHI / ISLAMABAD: A Senate Standing Committee this week criticized a lag in the production of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Pakistan, saying only 60,000 had been produced by this year against a target of 600,000, as the government moves to transition to green transport solutions and beat climate change. 
The government of Pakistan approved an ambitious National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP) in 2019 with the goal of electric vehicles comprising 30% of all passenger vehicle and heavy-duty truck sales by 2030, and an even more ambitious target of 90% by 2040. For two- and three-wheelers, as well as buses, the policy set a goal of achieving 50% of new sales by 2030 and 90% by 2040.
“Senator Sherry Rehman criticized Pakistan’s lagging EV production, noting that only 60,000 EVs have been produced against a 600,000 target,” according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, which is chaired by Rehman.
“She also highlighted that the transport sector contributes 48% to air pollution, making EV adoption critical. The Ministry of Industries faced scrutiny for lacking data on local EV production and charging stations.”
While Pakistan had aimed to install 3,000 EV charging stations by 2030, only eight had been established, Rehman said, calling on banks to introduce EV financing to enhance accessibility.
“Key recommendations included expanding EV charging stations and incentivizing private investment, promoting renewable energy adoption in homes and businesses, ramping up local EV production to meet policy targets, enforcing energy-efficient building codes nationwide, and encouraging energy-efficient transport and public transit use,” the press release said. 
Earlier this month, Pakistan said it would cut the power tariff for operators of EV charging stations by 45% as part of the ongoing reform of the energy sector designed to boost demand. The government is also planning to introduce financing schemes for e-bikes and the conversion of two- and three-wheeled petrol vehicles.
The cabinet on Jan. 15 approved a reduced tariff of 39.70 rupees ($0.14) per unit, down from 71.10 rupees previously, which will be in place within a month. The government expects an internal rate of return of more than 20% for investors in the sector.
According to a report submitted to the government by power ministry adviser Ammar Habib Khan and reported by Reuters on Jan. 15, there are currently more than 30 million two- and three-wheeled vehicles in Pakistan, which consume more than $5 billion worth of petroleum annually.
The energy ministry plans to convert 1 million two-wheelers to electric bikes in a first phase, at an estimated net cost of 40,000 rupees per bike, according to the report, saving around $165 million in fuel import costs annually.
BYD Pakistan, a partnership between China’s BYD and Pakistani car group Mega Motors, told Reuters in September that up to 50% of all vehicles bought in Pakistan by 2030 will be electrified in some form in line with global targets.
Separately, Nasir Hussain Shah, the energy minister in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province, on Thursday announced the provincial administration would “extend maximum assistance” to the private sector for investment in the EV sector to curtail fossil fuel consumption.
He said this during a meeting with Yasir Bhambani, the chief executive officer of China’s ADM Group, which has announced it will invest $350 million to set up an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Pakistan and 3,000 EV charging stations.
“The Sindh government would utilize its successful public-private partnership mode of development to provide suitable sites and other facilities to set up EV charging stations in cities and main highways,” the information department said in a statement.
Shah assured the ADM Group of uninterrupted power supply to promote EVs, saying he was also open to transitioning government vehicles to electric power.


Since 1994, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by over 99% — WHO

Since 1994, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by over 99% — WHO
Updated 30 January 2025
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Since 1994, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by over 99% — WHO

Since 1994, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by over 99% — WHO
  • Pakistan reported at least 73 cases last year, up from only one in 2021
  • Disease is rapidly spreading in volatile provinces like KP and Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organization on Thursday commended Pakistan for having reduced polio cases by over 99% since 1994, saying it would stand alongside Pakistan to “run the last mile” and end the crippling disease. 
Pakistan reported at least 73 cases last year, up from only one in 2021, and the disease is now rapidly spreading in the country’s most volatile regions, the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Balochistan in the southwest. The first case of polio was reported last Wednesday from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan, along with neighboring Afghanistan, remains one of the last two polio-endemic countries in the world. In the early 1990s, Pakistan reported around 20,000 cases annually, but by 2018, the number had dropped to just eight cases. Only six cases were reported in 2023, and one in 2021.
However, Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts have faced several challenges in recent years, including attacks by militants and misinformation spread by religious hard-liners.
“Since 1994, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by over 99%,” the WHO said on X after Islamabad hosted the Technical Advisory Group for Polio Eradication, a crucial forum that engages global experts and partners to “reinforce the response and seize the historic opportunity to end the global threat of polio.”
 “WHO stands alongside Pakistan to run the last mile and end this global threat. No child will be safe from polio until all children are safe.”


On Wednesday, Hanan Balkhy, WHO’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, cautioned that the eradication of polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan was threatened by US President Donald Trump ordering an unprecedented 90-day suspension of almost all foreign aid. On his first day back in the White House, Trump also announced he was withdrawing the United States from WHO.
In a video posted on X on Jan. 28, WHO’s Deputy Director Dr. Mike Ryan said despite support from donors in 2025, there remained a funding gap of $68 million for WHO’s polio eradication work in Pakistan.
“Urgent funding is required so the hard-fought gains are not jeopardized,” he cautioned. 

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Program is scheduled to hold the country’s first nationwide vaccination drive of this year from Feb. 3-9.


Pakistan says not taking EU’s GSP+ status ‘for granted’ amid multiple human rights concerns 

Pakistan says not taking EU’s GSP+ status ‘for granted’ amid multiple human rights concerns 
Updated 30 January 2025
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Pakistan says not taking EU’s GSP+ status ‘for granted’ amid multiple human rights concerns 

Pakistan says not taking EU’s GSP+ status ‘for granted’ amid multiple human rights concerns 
  • The statement comes amid EU envoy’s visit to Pakistan, following bloc’s criticism of sentencing of civilians by Pakistani military courts
  • GSP+ status in the spotlight again this week as parliament passed controversial cybercrime law to regulate social media platforms 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office said on Thursday Islamabad was not taking “for granted” the GSP+ status awarded by the European Union, saying there was a “robust” mechanism in place for the EU to supervise and coordinate implementation of Pakistan’s obligations under the special trade incentives arrangement. 
The statement by Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan came after a report published by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper said EU Special Rep­resentative for Human Rights, Olof Skoog, who is on a visit to Pakistan, had warned Pakistan “not to take its GSP+ status for granted.”
The GSP+ scheme grants beneficiary countries’ exports duty-free access to the European market in exchange for voluntarily agreeing to implement 27 international core conventions, including on human and civil rights.
Multiple developments on the human rights front have raised concerns over Pakistan’s GSP+ status in recent weeks. The EU last month openly criticized Pakistan for sentencing over 80 civilians in army courts after charging them for anti-government riots in May 2023 in which military installations were attacked, saying it was “inconsistent” with Pakistan’s international obligations. 
This week, the country’s GSP+ status has once more been in the spotlight after parliament passed a controversial cybercrime law that journalists and digital rights activists have widely said aims to crackdown against dissent on social media platforms. 
“In interstate relations, no one takes any state or any party for granted … EU remains a very important partner for Pakistan … It’s a rich and very comprehensive partnership ... and GSP+ is one component of this very rich relationship,” the foreign office spokesperson said at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad when asked about Skoog’s comments. 
He said there was a “robust” implementation process to supervise and coordinate Pakistan’s, “follow-up or implementation of the range of treaties.”
“What we have put across [to the EU] is our perspective on whatever things are happening on our legislative front, for example, on PECA [Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act] or on the [military] trials … but this is an ongoing process. There is no one sitting in judgment on what’s happening in Pakistan. It’s a collaborative dialogue between two partners and friends.”
Talking to Dawn, Skoog said he had expressed the EU’s “apprehensions and concerns” about the use of military courts against civilians.
“I had that conversation and will continue having those conversations. Our view is that for civilians, there should be a civilian court system applicable… We have raised our concerns when there is an expansive use of military courts in response to demonstrations,” he said.
Skoog also spoke about this week’s passage of controversial amendments to the country’s cybercrime laws.
“This is happening while I am visiting the country… I have been discussing [this] with government officials. Our view is there should be very limited restrictions on freedom of expression,” the special envoy said. 
“You can’t restrict freedom of expression just to protect the politicians, authorities or the system from being criticized, and these are the conversations we are having with Pakistan right now about where to draw the limits.”
The next round of the GSP+ scheme hinges upon what Pakistan does in terms of complying with its various international obligations, Skoog said, adding that it “cannot be taken for granted that [GSP+] will be there for the next round.”
In October 2023, the EU unanimously voted to extend GSP+ status until 2027 for developing countries, including Pakistan.


Pakistani man accused of killing US-born daughter over TikTok videos appears in court

Pakistani man accused of killing US-born daughter over TikTok videos appears in court
Updated 30 January 2025
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Pakistani man accused of killing US-born daughter over TikTok videos appears in court

Pakistani man accused of killing US-born daughter over TikTok videos appears in court
  • The man, who was arrested Wednesday, recently moved his family back to Pakistan from the United States, police said
  • Father initially blamed an unidentified gunman but after he was taken into custody for questioning he confessed to the crime

QUETTA: A Pakistani man suspected of killing his US-born 15-year-old daughter in a so-called honor killing after she apparently refused to stop sharing videos on TikTok appeared in court Thursday in the southwestern city of Quetta, police said.
The man, who was arrested Wednesday, recently moved his family back to Pakistan from the United States, police said.
The shooting happened on Tuesday in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, said Babar Baloch, a local police chief. He said the father of the teenager initially suggested that an unidentified gunman had killed his daughter, but after he was taken into custody for questioning he confessed to the crime.
Baloch said the man’s brother-in-law was also arrested in connection with the killing, and that both men had apparently objected to the girl’s sharing of “objectionable” content on TikTok, a social media platform used by 54 million people in Pakistan.
Baloch said a judge has allowed police to keep the two men in custody for 10 days during an investigation.
So-called honor killings are common in Pakistan, where family members and relatives sometimes kill women who don’t follow local traditions and culture or decide to marry someone of their own choice.