Opposition threatens to join farmers' protest

The opposition in the Punjab Assembly came down hard on the provincial government on Tuesday over not purchasing wheat from farmers at a fair price. The opposition members warned that they would stand by the farmers if they took to the streets in protest against the government’s wheat policy. The treasury benches had to face embarrassment at several occasions during the proceedings, especially over the absence of the ministers and secretaries of the departments whose business came under discussion. Senior lawmaker Sami Ullah Khan from the treasury benches also drew the attention of the house towards non-seriousness of the bureaucracy in responding to queries of the members. Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, who arrived late, had to apologise over a wrong reply submitted by the department to a query put by treasury lawmaker. Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar also expressed his displeasure over the absence of the ministers and secretaries, wondering how progress could be achieved if things remained unchanged. He warned that such behaviour would not be tolerated. The deputy speaker ruled that the ministers and secretaries whose business was on the assembly’s agenda were bound to be present. The education minister revealed that the government was going to introduce in the near future a teacher recruitment policy and establish a high school in every union council. Responding to another question, the minister said around 700 schools were operating in old buildings and the government was making a comprehensive plan to address the issue. During the discussion on the wheat procurement price, the opposition lawmakers termed the government policy flawed and detrimental to the agriculture sector. They said the wheat policy would crush the farmers. The legislators said the wheat should be purchased from farmers at better prices. If the farmers were not paid adequately, they would stop cultivating wheat, they warned. Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bhachar criticised the government over announcing a decrease in bread prices, depriving farmers of appropriate wheat price and a police raid at the wedding of PTI’s former minister Mian Aslam Iqbal’s daughter. He said the government had proved itself an enemy of the farmers through its policies. He said the people were being deceived under the garb of relief, adding that on one hand the Roti price had been reduced by Rs4 while on the other hand the petrol price had been increased. He said the PML-N was going to destroy the agriculture sector through its flawed polices. The opposition leader warned that there would be a wheat crisis by November and a mafia would purchase wheat at Rs2,500 per maund, which would create severe problems. He said the opposition strongly rejected the government’s wheat policy and would stand by the farmers if they would come on the roads to protest. Concluding the debate, Food Minister Bilal Yaseen denied that the government had introduced an anti-farmer policy. He said the government’s purchase rate was Rs3,900, which was the highest in Punjab. The minister said the wheat harvest in Punjab was higher than other provinces so the government could fix the support price without a problem. He said purchase of one million tonnes of wheat would not even amount to 10 per cent of the country's produce. He vowed that the farmers would be protected at any cost and accusing the government of being anti-farmer was incorrect and immature. He said the government planned to launch a farmer’s card to resolve issues related to fertiliser. Funds were borrowed from banks at the time of wheat purchase but the Eid holidays had delayed the process by a day and the matters had been settled. Responding the criticism from the opposition, he said the government had sufficient wheat sacks to deal with any untoward situation. After completion of the agenda, the deputy speaker prorogued the session for an indefinite period. Published in The Express Tribune, April 17th, 2024.

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Authorities handcuffed as one-wheeling remains rampant

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police finds itself handcuffed to issuing mere Rs 100 tickets to those recklessly engaging in the perilous act of one-wheeling, as it struggles to contain the rampant danger posed by such stunts. Meanwhile, as the authority grapples with the burgeoning crisis, the call for stricter legislation grows louder from the shattered families left to mourn the senseless loss of promising lives. According to details, a staggering 80% surge in road accidents this year stems from motorcycle mishaps, leaving shattered families to grapple with the aftermath of high-speed bike stunts. Limbs are lost, dreams dashed, as young lives are tragically cut short due to the allure of reckless thrill-seeking. Two years ago, tragedy struck 19-year-old Nauman's household on Independence Day, as he and his friends indulged in daredevil stunts. Racing down University Road, Nauman's joyride turned fatal when he collided with an electric pole, succumbing to his injuries. His family, still reeling from the shock, demands stricter laws to prevent further tragedies. Nauman's brother, Faheem Khan, expressed to The Express Tribune his deep concern, saying, "I shudder to think of how many households have been devastated by this deadly game. My brother, at an age meant for pursuing studies, had his life cut short due to reckless one-wheeling on a bike.” Read also: Strict measures in place against one-wheeling, unauthorised parking “We call for stricter legislation and punishment to prevent further tragedies from tearing families apart,” he added. Asif, another victim of reckless speed, now grapples with a broken arm that robs him of his ability to work and his father's peace of mind. Asif's father, Liaquat, shared with The Express Tribune, "The villagers and I repeatedly warned my son against one-wheeling and speeding, but he refused to heed our advice. Now, it's incredibly challenging for him to carry out daily tasks, such as going to the shop or working. He feels immense shame for his actions and is unable to ride a motorcycle due to his injured arm." Likewise, Wasif’s brush with death in the Chuha Gujar area of Peshawar left him battling deep head injuries with his memory forever scarred by the trauma Even a year after the incident, Wasif's memory continues to be significantly impacted by the accident. As a result, his family made the decision to get rid of the motorcycle. The scourge of one-wheeling extends beyond the capital city, infiltrating districts like Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, and beyond. However, despite the gravity of the issue, legislative loopholes leave law enforcement struggling to contain the menace. Read: One-wheelers rule roads as police spectate silently Areas like Chamkani and Gulbahar have become hotbeds for such antics, with weekends witnessing a surge in reckless behaviour. While traffic police make feeble attempts to curb the menace, the lack of stringent laws renders their efforts futile. Sources within the Peshawar police revealed that traffic authorities in the city only issue fines to 30 to 40 youths each month due to legal constraints. The paltry fines fail to deter repeat offenders, who brazenly return to the highways to engage in the deadly game once more. However, the traffic police merely seize the bikes and release the riders. Fines ranging from Rs100 to Rs300 are imposed, with payment demanded the following day at court. After disposing of their bikes, these individuals resume their one-wheeling escapades on the highways once more. Taqleen, a young man apprehended for one-wheeling in Peshawar's Tahkal area, recounted to The Express Tribune how his friends intervened to rescue him upon his capture. Subsequently, authorities impounded the motorcycle, and Taqleen faced a fine of Rs300 imposed by the court. Caught in the cycle of thrill and consequence, young men like Taqleen find themselves ensnared by the allure of danger, rescued by friends only to face a slap on the wrist from authorities.

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PM foresees Saudi delegation's visit as catalyst for enhanced cooperation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said the visit of the Saudi high-level delegation led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud would usher in a new era of very close cooperation in coming months. Speaking at a dinner hosted by him in honour of the Saudi foreign minister and his delegation, the prime minister said the Saudi delegation's visit has conveyed a message of hope and happiness to the people of Pakistan. https://ift.tt/EwubWl3 The visit would help promote trade and climate dialogue between the two countries, besides investment for mutual advantage, he added. “I am very happy to know that today’s discussion took place successfully and there has been a very satisfactory progress between the two sides as areas of mutual interest have been highlighted.” Also read: Saudi Arabia vows to bolster investment in Pakistan PM Shehbaz expressed the hope that multi-billion dollar agreements would be signed between the two sides and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman would likely to visit Pakistan to grace the occasion. He said the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was a model that had been carved out in 2023. It was a very robust mechanism supervised by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Apex Committee in which the Chief of Army Staff was a prominent member along with politicians and others, he added. https://ift.tt/ZWUOD5w The Saudi foreign minister, on the occasion, said the two brotherly countries were initiating a new phase of bilateral partnership, including real and tangible economic cooperation. He assured that Saudi Arabia would work hand in hand with Pakistan in promoting bilateral economic relations.

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Murree to have more tourist spots

More tourist spots should be developed in Murree and Kotli Sattian and a comprehensive plan should be made for the development of the Murree. This was discussed in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, in which they were given a detailed briefing regarding various projects. Murree has become a concrete jungle, said Nawaz Sharif, adding that the construction standards have not been taken into consideration. He said that the construction of hotels, and buildings on land sliding points can be dangerous. The ancient beauty of historical buildings is destroyed, he added. Bad structures are distorting the natural beauty of Murree, said Maryam. A ban on the use of plastic bags was also ordered in Murree and other tourist places. The site was examined for building a state-of-the-art hospital in Murree. The proposal to issue permit cards to enter vehicles in Murree was considered. In-principle approval was given for a water supply scheme to bring water from river Jhelum to Murree. The maintenance and filtration plant of the existing water scheme was also discussed in the meeting. The officials also talked about measures to run cable cars and modern trams for parking in Murree. Banning the entry of vehicles into Murree was considered. It was directed to ensure the presence of parking in every building. Illegal buildings in Murree were identified and directed to demolish them immediately. Motorway-style clean toilets will be constructed in Murree. The Solid Waste Management Authority and Parks and Horticulture were approved for Murree. The final plan for the removal of encroachments in Murree has been approved. It was decided to make the general bus stand functional and close the illegal bases in Murree. The roads of Murree were approved to be made one-way and widened. The officials also directed the immediate construction and repair of Murree roads and the removal of potholes. The extension of Jhikagli Chowk was also reviewed in the meeting. Published in The Express Tribune, April 16th, 2024.

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Anti-dengue drive resumes in low spirit

The anti-dengue campaign has kicked off in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad after three weeks’ gap. After the completion of Ramazan ration distribution, the campaign is moving slowly because of the non-availability of available ingredients. Authorities have planned to enforce the Anti-Dengue Act in Rawalpindi district. The Punjab health department has yet to provide anti-dengue kits, spray pumps, and spray solutions to the Rawalpindi officials. The number of dengue patients in the district has climbed to six. The recruitment process for 1,500 dengue patrol workers and 300 entomologists in the anti-dengue team is still continuing. Earlier, the anti-dengue campaign was temporarily halted a week before the start of Ramazan to focus on the distribution of ration bags among the needy as all dengue patrol workers were included in the free ration squad. With the dry season approaching in Rawalpindi next week following recent rains, concerns grow among the officials and citizens about the breeding and spread of dengue larvae. The anti-dengue campaign has resumed at a slow pace after several anti-dengue workers obtained leaves due to their involvement in the ration distribution campaign. On the other hand, anti-dengue meetings are also being resumed. Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema has given strict orders to continue the campaign throughout the Eid holidays with a special plan. From January 1 to March 28, a total of 195 houses in Rawalpindi were found to have dengue larvae during inspections. During this period, 33 cases were filed, 35 properties were sealed, 78 challans were issued, and a total fine of Rs115,000 was imposed. However, due to a lack of workers, prompt action against 79 source reports, indicating a high presence of dengue larvae, couldn’t be taken despite passing two weeks. There are reports of increased larvae presence in those areas. All under-construction buildings, plazas, ponds, cemeteries, self-growing five-foot weeds, hemp, and bushes in Rawalpindi have been declared breeding grounds for dengue larvae and mosquitoes. The DC has issued orders to the Chief Officer of the Municipal Corporation to immediately trim bushes and hemp plants and spray them with poison. Furthermore, strict directives have also been issued to promptly dispose of rainwater from tyre shops, junkyards, containers, and discarded tyres. The DC has instructed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the District Education Authority (DHA) to address issues such as water leakage from roofs, standing water in grounds and pots, and cutting overgrown grass in both government and private schools. Additionally, the establishment of special dengue wards in allied hospitals has been ordered soon. The DC has further asked all the concerned departments to provide updated reports of the ongoing anti-dengue campaign. A strict order has also been issued to start the third-party checking of dengue larva search daily. If larvae are discovered during these inspections, action will be taken against the field teams that declared the areas clear. Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2024.

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Measles outbreak imperils children in K-P

In developed nations across the globe, a comprehensive immunisation program is key to preventing childhood diseases and ensuring a healthier future generation however, in Pakistan’s northern province, a lack of manpower and resources for carrying forth the vaccination campaign against the recent measles outbreak, has left many parents worried for the health of their little ones. One such parent is Bakhtwar Gul from South Waziristan, who shared his anxieties for his children’s health following the recent measles outbreak in Khyber-Pakhtunkha (K-P) which has claimed the lives of 14 innocent children so far. “In our area, no vaccinators are normally available to administer the measles vaccine to our children. Whenever an outbreak occurs, the Extended Programme on Immunisation (EPI) sends a mobile team for a small duration but throughout the year no such efforts are made,” revealed Gul. In his defence, Hasan Ali, an EPI vaccinator claimed that for several days, the EPI vaccinators were in protest. “The government only allocates Rs300 for our monthly fuel expenses. We have to travel to risky terrains which are miles away and such a small amount of money can hardly buy one litre of petrol. Moreover, the government also does not give us risk allowances and other resources to facilitate routine immunisation,” regretted Ali, who urged the government to assist vaccinators so that a significant percentage of the target population can be immunised. According to Dr Muhammad Hussain, President of the Pakistan Paediatric Association KP- Chapter, measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world since every infected person can spread the virus to as many as 18 other people. “This airborne virus stays in the atmosphere for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room and can hence spread rapidly through homes, schools, clinics and hospitals. Unfortunately, the vaccination rate against measles in Pakistan is less than 60 per cent,” disclosed Dr Hussain, who further added that the measles vaccination should be administered to all children under 5 years of age. Read also: Measles claims over 13 lives in K-P Expanding on Dr Hussain’s postulations, Dr Hamid Bangash, a paediatrician opined that the government must aim to vaccinate at least 70 per cent of children through its routine immunisation against measles. “Vaccines are the only way to reduce the severity of the disease, which causes rashes to appear on the child’s skin, 7 to 18 days after exposure to the virus. Alongside rashes, a runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes are also common symptoms, while in the most severe cases, death can also occur,” warned Dr Bangash, who urged the government to resolve the issues faced by the EPI vaccinators in order to strengthen the program. As per sources from the K-P Health Department, this is not the first time the EPI has landed under scrutiny for its fruitless handling of the measles vaccination campaign since even during the Covid-19 pandemic, EPI vaccinators were unable to carry on the measles vaccine drive due to their newly assigned duty of administering the Covid-19 vaccine. As a result, 50 per cent of the target children were missed from routine immunisation during the pandemic. According to sources obtained by the Express Tribune from the EPI, a total of 3,538 cases of measles affecting children between the ages of two to five are suspected in K-P, out of which 1,236 have been confirmed in areas like D. I. Khan, Tank, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, North and South Waziristan, Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera and Swat. Furthermore, during the first quarter of 2024, 26,725 children have been vaccinated in response to the outbreak while an additional 200,000 children were given the measles vaccination during the Intensified Outreach Activity. Speaking to the Express Tribune on the matter, Dr Muhammad Arif Khan, Director of EPI K-P said, “The EPI has forwarded the request to extend the travel expenses of outreach vaccinators, but they were declined due to a shortage of resources and funds. A special initiative called ‘Big Catch-up’ is underway in Jun 2024 for bridging the immunity gap in children older than 23 months.”

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Accused in Sarabjit Singh attack case shot dead in Lahore

Amir Sarfaraz alias Amir Tamba, an accused involved in the murder of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in Kot Lakhpat jail in 2013, has died during treatment for gunshot wounds in a hospital on Sunday. He was shot by two unidentified suspects at his residence in Islampura earlier in the day. Junaid Sarfaraz, the younger brother of Amir, said that his brother was inside the house on the first floor at Ganga Street and the gate of the house was open. Suddenly, two unidentified motorcyclists approached and shot the victim. One of the unidentified suspects was wearing a face mask while the other was wearing a helmet. Amir received serious bullet injuries and was shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment but he succumbed to his wounds. Reportedly, Amir had received four bullet injuries, two in the chest and two in the legs. In 2013, Amir along with another suspect Mudassir had been accused of murdering an Indian death row prisoner Sarbajit Singh detained in Kot Lakhpat jail convicted for involvement in bombings in Lahore in the ‘90s. Amir and Mudassir had attacked the victim with iron rods and bricks. Read also: Indian govt orchestrated assassinations in Pakistan: report A murder case was registered against them but the accused persons were exonerated of the murder charges due to lack of evidence. Last year in October, unidentified suspects shot dead a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leader Shahid Latif, along with his security guards in a mosque in Daska. Latif was accused of being the mastermind of Pathankot airbase attack in 2016. Shahid was arrested in the ‘90s after he along with others had infiltrated Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). He was detained in jail along with main JeM leader Masood Azhar until being released in 2010. IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar while holding a press conference at his office had said that a rogue agency of a neighbouring country had orchestrated the attack and they had arrested all the accused persons involved in the attack. In June 2021, a car bombing occurred outside the residence of Hafiz Saeed, the leader of the banned organisation Jamat ul Dawat (JeD), resulting in multiple casualties. Pakistan had accused India's state agency RAW of being behind the attacks.

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