Pakistan reports 17th polio case of this year in Islamabad

Pakistan reports 17th polio case of this year in Islamabad
A health worker (L) administers polio vaccine drops to a child during a polio vaccination door-to-door campaign at a low-income residential area in Islamabad on September 21, 2020. (AFP/File)
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Updated 06 September 2024
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Pakistan reports 17th polio case of this year in Islamabad

Pakistan reports 17th polio case of this year in Islamabad
  • This is the first human case reported in Pakistan’s federal capital of Islamabad in 16 years
  • Pakistan has reported 12 polio cases in Balochistan, three in Sindh and one in Punjab this year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported another case of polio virus in the federal capital of Islamabad, authorities said on Friday, taking the national tally to 17 this year.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio at the National Institute of Health detected the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in a child from Union Council Rural 4 of Islamabad, according the country’s polio program.
This is the first human case reported in Islamabad in 16 years, while environmental samples from the capital and neighboring Rawalpindi district have been positive for WPV1 since June, underscoring the persistent threat of polio to children’s well-being.
“It is incredibly heartbreaking that another Pakistan child has been affected by a disease that has no cure, but is entirely preventable with the help of an easily accessible vaccine,” Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Minister’s focal person for polio eradication, said in a statement.
In view of the “intense outbreak” of poliovirus in the country, she said, the polio program had held in-depth consultative sessions with the provinces and districts to implement plans to improve all aspects of polio eradication activities, starting from a polio campaign beginning next week.
“From September 9 onwards, polio teams will go house-to-house in 115 districts to vaccinate more than 33 million children under five,” Farooq said. “This virus does not discriminate. Wherever it finds a child with weak immunity, it will attack. Parents must understand the urgency of ensuring that their children receive polio drops and are up to date on their routine immunization.” 
Muhammad Anwarul Haq, coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center for polio eradication, said the polio program was launching this targeted vaccination campaign particularly in districts where the virus had been detected and where the risk of continued transmission and spread was really high.
“We’re ramping up efforts to reach every child with polio vaccines, including in Islamabad,” he said. “We have a collective responsibility to protect the health and wellbeing of our children.”
Haq reiterated that unfortunately, parents had not always welcomed and opened their doors to the vaccinators when they visited their homes.
“I encourage all parents and caregivers to make sure your children are not missed when the vaccinators visit your house next week,” he added.
Pakistan earlier reported 12 polio cases from Balochistan, three from Sindh and one from Punjab this year.


Punjab mulling over acquiring national airline, says Pakistan ruling party chief 

Punjab mulling over acquiring national airline, says Pakistan ruling party chief 
Updated 20 sec ago
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Punjab mulling over acquiring national airline, says Pakistan ruling party chief 

Punjab mulling over acquiring national airline, says Pakistan ruling party chief 
  • Nawaz Sharif says Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz consulted him on acquiring PIA, renaming it “Air Punjab”
  • Pakistan this week kicked off national flag carrier’s privatization process, receiving single highest bid of $36 million

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz proposed acquiring the country’s national flag carrier and renaming it as “Air Punjab,” her father and ruling party chief Nawaz Sharif said this week, days after Islamabad started the bidding process for the state-owned asset. 

Pakistan’s government kickstarted the privatization process of the loss-making Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flag carrier on Thursday, holding a televised auction in which it received the sole bid of Rs10 billion ($36 million) from Blue World City, a real estate development firm. 

The bid fell far short of the minimum price of Rs85 billion ($305 million) set by the government, following which Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province formally offered to exceed the bid on Friday, saying that the PIA should remain under government control to preserve its status. 

“Maryam said to me during consultations, “Shouldn’t we acquire the PIA and establish a brand new airline? Bring in brand new planes and that we should give a new airline to Pakistan,” Sharif said to members of his party in New York during a meeting. 

“She told me to name it as ‘Air Punjab.’“

The former prime minister said he told the Punjab chief minister to weigh the option of buying the PIA or the possibility of the Punjab government establishing a new one altogether. 

“We could introduce a new airline that would offer direct flights from Karachi, Lahore, Pesha­war, and Quetta to New York, along with services to London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and other international destinations,” Sharif said. 

He said the Punjab government was holding consultations on the matter. 

Pakistan decided to move ahead with PIA’s privatization under terms agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a 37-month, $7 billion bailout approved in September, aiming to divest over 51 percent of its stake in the financially struggling national carrier.

Critics, including PIA union representatives and independent analysts, called the low bid an “embarrassment” for the government, with airline employees suggesting Pakistani authorities should expand PIA’s fleet to restore its operational viability.


Punjab asks citizens to follow precautions as Lahore pollution soars to record high

Punjab asks citizens to follow precautions as Lahore pollution soars to record high
Updated 43 min 38 sec ago
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Punjab asks citizens to follow precautions as Lahore pollution soars to record high

Punjab asks citizens to follow precautions as Lahore pollution soars to record high
  • Lahore’s air quality index soars to unprecedented 1,194 as smog envelopes city
  • Punjab government says strong winds from India has increased pollution in Lahore

ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has urged Lahore citizens to strictly adhere to precautions against smog as the city’s air quality index soared to a record-breaking score of 1,194 on Sunday, with a thick blanket of smog enveloping the megacity. 

As winter season approaches, Lahore’s 14 million people have been enveloped by smog over the past few days, a mix of fog and pollutants caused by low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal agricultural burning and winter cooling.

The air quality index, which measures a range of pollutants, soared to 1,067 on Saturday, more than 700 above the 300 considered ‘dangerous,’ as per data from IQAir.

“Due to strong winds from India, Lahore attains the number one spot in the air pollution index,” the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the ruling party in Punjab, wrote on social media platform X.

“Lahore is on top of the global air quality index with [a score of] 1,194 while India’s two cities acquire the second and third spots.”

Punjab’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb was quoted by the PML-N as saying that Pakistani cities bordering India are severely affected by the changing wind speeds and direction, adding that the burning of farmers’ crop residues in the neighboring country has caused a “large-scale increase” in air pollution. 

“Public should strictly follow precautionary measures, the elderly, the sick and children should be especially careful,” Aurangzeb said, urging people to wear face masks and not venture outside their homes unnecessarily. 

She said the government’s plan will be implemented strictly, warning farmers against burning crop residues. 

“Arrests and fines for violations will continue,” Aurangzeb said. 

Breathing the toxic air has catastrophic health consequences, with the World Health Organization saying strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases can be triggered by prolonged exposure.

Smog is particularly pronounced in winter, when cold, denser air traps emissions from poor-quality fuels used to power the city’s vehicles and factories at ground level.

Last month, authorities banned schoolchildren from outdoor exercise until January and adjusted school hours to prevent children from traveling when the pollution is most punishing.

Children are particularly vulnerable because they have less developed lungs and breathe more rapidly, taking in more air relative to their size than adults.

Last week, the provincial environmental protection agency announced new restrictions in four “hot spots” in the city.

Tuk-tuks equipped with polluting two-stroke engines are banned, as are restaurants that barbecue without filters.

Government offices and private companies will have half their staff work from home starting Monday.
Construction work has been halted and street and food vendors, who often cook over open fires, must close at 8 pm.

With additional input from AFP 


Pakistani airline Air Sial launches weekly flights from Islamabad to Riyadh

Pakistani airline Air Sial launches weekly flights from Islamabad to Riyadh
Updated 03 November 2024
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Pakistani airline Air Sial launches weekly flights from Islamabad to Riyadh

Pakistani airline Air Sial launches weekly flights from Islamabad to Riyadh
  • Air Sial launches two flights per week from Islamabad to Riyadh, says airline 
  • Airline says will start flights from Lahore, other Pakistani cities to Riyadh “soon” 

ISLAMABAD: Air Sial, one of Pakistan’s most prominent private airlines, on Sunday launched its weekly flights from Islamabad to Riyadh, announcing that flights from the eastern city of Lahore to the Saudi capital will commence “soon.”

Thousands of Pakistanis visit the Kingdom every year where they live and work, and to perform the voluntary Umrah pilgrimage at some of the holiest sites in Islam in Makkah and Madinah.

 Several Pakistani airlines offer direct flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and other Saudi cities at economical rates, promoting religious tourism and connectivity between the two close allies. 

“Pakistani airline, Air Sial has commenced weekly flights to the Saudi capital Riyadh from Islamabad, with two flights per week,” Air Sial said in a statement. 

“The management has announced that flights to Lahore will also start soon.”

Pakistan’s Welfare Attaché, Rana Muhammad Masoom, inaugurated the airline’s regional office in Riyadh, Air Sial said, adding that community members and Air Sial’s country and regional management were also present at the ceremony.

“A cake-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the start of the weekly flights from Riyadh to Islamabad, and it was announced that new flights to Lahore and other cities will be launched soon,” the airline concluded. 

Air Sial was inaugurated in 2020 by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry to improve air travel to and from Pakistan’s Sialkot city, a major industrial hub in Punjab. The airline uses a fleet of modern Airbus A320 aircraft for its operations. 


Pakistan eyes enhanced trade, economic ties with Uzbekistan amid investment push

Pakistan eyes enhanced trade, economic ties with Uzbekistan amid investment push
Updated 03 November 2024
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Pakistan eyes enhanced trade, economic ties with Uzbekistan amid investment push

Pakistan eyes enhanced trade, economic ties with Uzbekistan amid investment push
  • Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan arrives in Tashkent for three-day official visit
  • Khan to take part in fourth Uzbekistan-Pakistan Business Forum, says commerce ministry

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan is in Uzbekistan on a three-day visit aimed at enhancing bilateral trade, commerce and economic ties with the Central Asian state, his ministry confirmed on Sunday, amid Islamabad’s efforts to attract foreign investment to improve its economic prospects.

Pakistan has increasingly sought to enhance regional connectivity to landlocked Central Asian states by providing them access to its warm water ports. It recently offered Central Asian states to become part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, under which Beijing has pledged around $65 billion in energy, infrastructure and other projects in Pakistan.

Khan arrived in Tashkent on Saturday evening marking the start of his three-day visit to Uzbekistan, the commerce ministry said.

“Key agenda items include strategic meetings with top Uzbek officials such as Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Jamshed Khujaev and Transport Minister Mr. Ilkhom Makhkamov to discuss pivotal projects in trade, investment, and logistics,” the ministry said.

Khan’s visit will feature the ninth session of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) on Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, and the fourth Uzbekistan-Pakistan Business Forum, the commerce ministry said. The session will be co-chaired by Khan and Uzbek Minister for Investment, Industry and Trade Mr. Laziz Kudratov.

The ministry said that the Business Forum will host 33 Pakistani business delegates across various sectors for B2B meetings aimed at fostering new partnerships and enhancing trade.

“The minister’s visit reflects both nations’ dedication to deepening economic and technical collaborations and supporting mutual goals, including Uzbekistan’s ongoing WTO accession,” the ministry concluded.

Pakistan has increasingly sought to promote closer ties with regional allies to bolster its fragile $350 billion economy, which is currently suffering from a prolonged macroeconomic crisis.

The South Asian country narrowly avoided a sovereign default last year when it secured a last-gasp $3 billion financial assistance package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Pakistan’s economic crisis saw its inflation reach double-digit figures, foreign exchange reserves plummet to historic lows and its currency weaken significantly against the US dollar over the past two years.


Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 

Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 
Updated 03 November 2024
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Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 

Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 
  • Pakistan head into Melbourne ODI with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf in playing XI
  • Green shirts will play three ODIs against Australia on Nov. 4, 8 and 10 at Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, respectively

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will head into the first ODI against Australia on Monday with fiery fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain featuring in the playing XI squad, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said. 

Pakistan’s new white-ball skipper Mohammad Rizwan will lead his side for the first time since assuming captaincy this month at Melbourne against Australia on Monday. 

The South Asian country is scheduled to play three ODIs on Nov. 4, 8 and 10 in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, respectively before taking on Australia in a three-match T20I series on Nov. 14, 16 and 18. 

“The men’s national selection committee has confirmed Pakistan’s playing XI for the first ODI against Australia,” the PCB said in a statement. 

Rauf and Hasnain have both had ample experience playing on Australian pitches for the Big Bash League (BBL). Both bowlers have the ability to bowl above 150 kmph and bamboozle batters through sheer pace. 

Australian pitches favor pace and bounce, serving as ideal hunting grounds for pacers from Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and the West Indies in the past. 

Afridi and Shah, Pakistan’s experienced pace bowlers, will return to the squad after they were dropped from the Test squad after England drubbed Pakistan in the first Test in Multan last month. 

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Kamran Ghulam have both been included in the squad while the green shirts will rely on openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub to deliver the goods with the bat against Australia. 

Playing XI:

Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain