Eighth mpox case confirmed in Pakistan

The health ministry on Friday confirmed the country’s eighth case of the mpox virus this year, involving a 32-year-old patient who had recently returned from the Gulf. The patient has been isolated and is receiving treatment, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Sajid Shah. “He is experiencing mild symptoms and is expected to recover soon,” Pakistan reported its first mpox case in August and has since implemented rigorous screening protocols at airports and border crossings to curb the virus's spread. While a mutated strain of mpox, clade I, prompted the World Health Organisation to declare a global health emergency in August, Pakistan has not yet reported any cases of this new variant. Clade I first emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has since spread internationally, prompting heightened monitoring and preventive measures.

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Fazlur Rehman could become PM for 1-1.5 years: Miftah Ismail

Former finance minister and leader of the Awaam Pakistan Party Miftah Ismail has claimed that Maulana Fazlur Rehman could serve as Prime Minister of Pakistan for a year and a half. Speaking on Express News’ programme 'Center Stage', he stated that while discussions are ongoing, it is a positive development that negotiations are taking place, as they help avoid protests and violence. He highlighted that negotiations should continue. Ismail proposed that the only solution to Pakistan's political issues is holding elections and seeking the public’s opinion through their votes. He further remarked that few politicians in Pakistan hold the stature of Rehman, suggesting that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) leader could serve as PM for a year and a half. On economic matters, Ismail criticised the government's stance on privatisation, claiming that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) could have been privatised, but the government lacked the intention to do so. He further attributed the recent upward trend in the stock market to a reduction in interest rates, stressing that the market would continue to rise independently, with no role played by the government. Ismail also pointed out that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had not implemented any new taxes or pension reforms. He accused the PM of prioritising political interests over necessary economic reforms. In terms of imports, the former minister noted a 7% decrease, but he highlighted that the current tax rates are extremely high. He warned that without positive economic indicators, investment in the country would not increase.

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FIA arrests two human traffickers linked to Greek boat tragedy

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (ATC) in Lahore has arrested two human traffickers involved in the Greek boat tragedy, Express News reported. The two individuals, listed as highly wanted criminals, were apprehended during operations targeting traffickers linked to the tragic incident. According to the FIA, following the arrest of two immigration officers stationed at Faisalabad Airport, the scope of investigations was expanded. Raids are ongoing in Gujranwala and Faisalabad to apprehend other traffickers named in cases related to human trafficking. The FIA’s crackdown comes in the wake of directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has emphasized adopting a stringent strategy against human trafficking and those involved. The agency has launched operations against traffickers involved in several cases, including the Greek boat tragedy. The two arrested traffickers were involved in sending four individuals illegally to Italy in exchange for a sum of Rs8.8 million. Tragically, two of those individuals, Hamad and Khawar, died in the boat accident. FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (ATC) Lahore arrested one of the traffickers, Nawaz Sansi, in Farooqabad, while another, the notorious fugitive Naveed Shah, was apprehended in Nankana Sahib. Both men were implicated in the illegal migration operation that led to the boat tragedy. Additionally, the FIA Gujranwala Zone arrested another highly wanted trafficker, Muhammad Suleman, listed in the Red Book.  Suleman was involved in over seven human trafficking cases, with charges filed by the Composite Circle of Gujrat in 2023. Suleman had swindled victims out of millions of rupees, promising to send them to Europe, and later helped them travel through Libya, Egypt, and Dubai. Authorities revealed that 18 passengers involved in the Greek boat tragedy had travelled from Faisalabad Airport. The tragic incident occurred last week when a boat carrying migrants en route to Greece capsized. 

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PTI expels singer Salman Ahmed

The PTI has expelled singer and songwriter Salman Ahmad from the party, with the notification of his dismissal officially issued by party Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. According to the notification, Ahmad was found violating the party's policies. He had been posting anti-PTI content on social media, specifically targeting the party leadership. He used his Twitter account to post about Bushra Bibi and the family of PTI founder Imran Khan. The notification further stated that despite clear instructions from the founding chairman, Ahmad continued to share content on social media that directly contradicted the party's stance.

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Pakistan developing long-range missiles capable of reaching US: White House official

A senior White House official on Thursday said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets outside of South Asia, including in the United States. In his stunning revelation about the onetime close US partner, Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said Islamabad's conduct raised "real questions" about the aims of its ballistic missile program. "Candidly, it's hard for us to see Pakistan's actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States," Finer told the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace audience. "Pakistan has developed increasingly sophisticated missile technology, from long-range ballistic missile systems to equipment that would enable the testing of significantly larger rocket motors," he said. If those trends continue, Finer said, "Pakistan will have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States." His speech came a day after Washington announced a new round of sanctions related to Pakistan's ballistic missile development program, including on the state-run defense agency that oversees the program.

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NADRA to introduce facial recognition, mobile app verification in Jan

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has announced a new verification service that will be launched on January 15 2025, allowing citizens to authenticate their identity through facial recognition and the Pak ID mobile app at NADRA centres across the country, Express News reported. The announcement was made following an advisory conference held at NADRA headquarters, where officials from various regulatory bodies and stakeholders discussed improvements to biometric and identity verification systems. The conference focused on addressing challenges faced in the current verification process and the steps NADRA has taken to ensure uninterrupted services for citizens and regulators alike. During the conference, NADRA Chairman provided a detailed briefing on the difficulties encountered in identity verification across various sectors and the need for modernisation. One of the key issues discussed was the challenges faced by elderly citizens and pensioners, particularly those with faint fingerprints, in verifying their identities. A NADRA spokesperson confirmed that the new system, which will allow citizens to use facial recognition technology for identification, is a significant step forward in making the verification process more efficient. "This innovative service will improve access to various services for citizens and reduce unnecessary delays," the spokesperson said. The participants also discussed the potential benefits of using Iris scanning technology and the challenges it might present to citizens and institutions. Additionally, the session covered the "National Registration and Biometric Policy Framework" and the "Digital Economy Enhancement Project," which aims to foster the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy. The workshop concluded with an emphasis on strengthening collaboration to implement the new biometric system and the associated technological advancements.

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Livestock distribution

The livestock department will provide 456 animals across the district under the 'Transfer of Livestock Assets to Widows, Divorced Women' project to empower rural women.

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