KARACHI: The number of HIV positive patients surged to 393 on Monday, a jump from 157 cases reported since last week, with health officials anticipating a further increase in numbers even as screening continued in the Ratodera town of Pakistan’s southern Sindh province.
“The screening has been restarted and the number is expected to grow. So far 9,082 have been screened in Ratodero of whom 393 have been tested positive. Of them 312 are infants and children of different age groups,” Dr. Masood Solangi Director General Health told Arab News.
Authorities were first alerted to the burgeoning crisis after 18 children –from a town on the outskirts of Larkana city – tested positive for the virus last week. There is no cure for HIV, but antiretroviral treatment can help in limiting the spread of the virus. If left untreated, it can lead to AIDS.
The increase in the number of new cases reported in Pakistan is in contrast to a global decline, especially since the country of 208 million is considered a low prevalence nation for HIV.
Authorities have traced the spread of the virus to a paediatrician in Sindh province named Muzaffar Ghangharo, who allegedly used a contaminated syringe on several patients. He was arrested last week.
All of the 312 infected children are reported to be Ghangharo’s patients, with local police officer Sartaj Ahmed Jagirani saying that more than 300 patients would seek the doctor’s services, on an average, everyday.
“It’s still to be ascertained whether it was deliberate or inadvertent,” Jagirani said, adding that preliminary police investigations suggested that Ghangharo used the same syringe to inject at least five different children.
Solangi added that the reuse of tainted syringes was the major source of infection among the children. However, SSP Kamran Nawaz, a senior official tasked with investigating the matter, said that the probe was still underway. “We are investigating the case with help of doctors from every angle and will soon share our findings,” Nawaz told Arab News.
Dr. Sikandar Iqbal, a coordinator at the Sindh AIDS Control Programme, said that Ghangharo was an AIDS patient himself.
“There are...chances that Dr. Ghangharo, who is in the last stages of the disease, might have been infected by one of his patients, who mostly get treatment from quacks,” he said. Arab News could not independently verify Iqbal’s claims.
It is still unclear what the suspect’s medical qualifications are. His private clinic has been sealed following his arrest, and is yet to be reopened.
Meanwhile, the Sindh chapter of Pakistan’s Paediatric Association (PPA) has condemned Ghangaro’s arrest and called for his immediate release, reasoning that the police investigation had used a “non-professional approach causing to defame a respected doctor.”
Officials contacted by Arab News said that the number of victims was increasing rapidly, with several new cases reported on Saturday. Locals, however, said that the numbers were higher than those reported.
“They are concealing the figures,” Abdul Rasool who lives in a village near Ratodero, and whose son tested positive at a screening camp on Friday, said, adding that his “cousin’s three-year old son has also tested positive.”
Thus far four people have died from the condition, including a 10-month-old girl.
Jameel Ahmed, a Larkana shopkeeper who lost two infant daughters after they were treated in Ghangharo’s clinic, blamed himself.
“God gave me two daughters and both died because of my ignorance,” he said. “If you love your children, go to government or registered hospitals.”
Over 300 children test positive for HIV in southern Pakistan
Over 300 children test positive for HIV in southern Pakistan
- More than 300 children diagnosed with condition in Ratodero subdivision of Larkana
- Authorities trace epidemic to pediatrician who used infected syringe on multiple patients
One killed in northwestern Pakistan blast targeting religio-political party leader
- Attack on Maulana Shehzad Wazir of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam has left him critically injured
- The JUI leader was on his way to a mosque in Azam Warsak when the explosion took place
PESHAWAR: One person was killed and six others injured in a blast triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting a senior leader of a prominent religio-political party in South Waziristan district on Sunday, leaving him in critical condition, police said.
The attack on Maulana Shehzad Wazir comes amid complaints from his Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) party about being targeted by militants operating in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also voiced concerns over militant threats disrupting the party’s election campaign in the region ahead of the February 8 national polls, citing warnings from law enforcement about dangers to its candidates.
“The IED was planted in a street leading to Maulana Shehzad Wazir’s mosque, who is politically affiliated with the JUI-F,” Bilal Wazir, a police officer in Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan tribal district, told Arab News over the phone. “Mufti Ijaz Wazir died on the spot while six others, including Maulana Shehzad Wazir, who was apparently the target of the attack, were left in critical condition.”
The officer said a police contingent was dispatched to the area soon after the explosion to gather evidence and shift the wounded to the hospital.
Asked about the intensity of the blast, he said it shook the entire neighborhood of Azam Warsak, a settlement on the outskirts of Wana.
Speaking to Arab News, Mufti Ijaz Shinwari, the JUI senior vice president in the tribal area, condemned the incident, saying the victims of the attack were religious leaders and key figures of his political party on the provincial level.
“This is inhumane,” he added. “This is clearly a terrorist attack and a cowardly act.”
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, though Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned militant group, has a history of targeting civilians, security forces and politicians in the region, aiming to perpetuate instability in KP.
In recent months, the TTP has claimed responsibility for several attacks and is suspected by officials in others.
Earlier this week, however, Daesh, a separate militant outfit, shot dead Hameed Sufi, a senior leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, in the adjacent Bajaur tribal district.
In June, four people, including Maulana Mirza Jan, the president of JUI’s Wana chapter, were shot by unidentified attackers.
Pakistan claims Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers are providing shelter to TTP fighters across the porous border separating the two countries. However, the Afghan Taliban insists they do not allow anyone to use their soil to launch violent attacks in the neighborhood.
Smog drops from hazardous to unhealthy in Pakistan’s Lahore
- The city’s AQI index reached a daily average of 243, still considered ‘very unhealthy’
- Current pollution level is 10 times higher than what is deemed acceptable by WHO
ISLAMABAD: The air quality in Pakistan’s smog-choked city of Lahore on Sunday fell below the threshold considered “hazardous” for humans for the first time in two weeks.
The AQI index reached a daily average of 243, still “very unhealthy” but below the highest level of 300 considered “hazardous.”
The level of PM2.5 particles was also more than 10 times higher than the level deemed acceptable by the World Health Organization.
The city of 14 million people close to the border with India peaked at a record AQI of 1,110 on November 14.
Punjab, home to more than half of Pakistan’s 240 million people, closed schools in its major cities on November 6, and on Friday extended the closure to November 24.
It has also banned all outdoor sports in schools until January, and cracked down on polluting tuk-tuks, barbecues and construction sites in pollution hot spots across Lahore.
Seasonal crop burn-off by farmers on the outskirts of the city also contributes to toxic air the WHO says can cause strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.
Pakistan’s finance chief says PM Sharif will soon unveil ‘home-grown’ economic agenda
- Muhammad Aurangzeb calls the recent IMF visit part of ongoing talks, enhancing mutual trust
- The visit came weeks after the $7 billion loan approval, making observers think it was unusual
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will soon unveil a “home-grown agenda” for economic development, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday, as he informed that his interaction with a visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation last week went well, providing both sides an opportunity to enhance mutual trust.
The IMF delegation, led by Pakistan mission chief Nathan Porter, completed a five-day trip to the country during which it held wide-ranging conversations with the government.
The international lending organization approved a $7 billion loan for Pakistan in September, though it explicitly stated that the delegation’s visit was not part of the first review of the loan program, which is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
The IMF visit, which came just weeks after the loan’s approval, surprised observers who considered it unusual, though the finance minister described it as part of an ongoing dialogue between the two sides, noting that it resulted in a positive IMF statement.
Aurangzeb also said the government would specify its overall economic game plan in the next few days.
“The prime minister will soon share a home-grown agenda about how we are going to take forward our overall economic roadmap,” he said, without disclosing its details. “It has been very well syndicated with all the stakeholders.”
The minister emphasized that dealings between Pakistan and the IMF were completely transparent, with all agreed details available in the public domain. He noted the recent discussions with the IMF covered taxation and energy reforms, along with the privatization plan for state-owned enterprises and public finances.
“I welcomed this visit because this is an ongoing dialogue to ensure mutual credibility and trust,” he added. “We have shared our roadmap with them and explained how we are taking things forward.”
The finance minister said the two sides would continue to hold virtual talks, though he noted that he appreciated every opportunity to meet IMF officials face-to-face.
He also mentioned that discussions with the international lender included climate resilience and decarbonization, emphasizing that these issues had to be addressed alongside broader economic challenges rather than sequentially.
Pakistan has faced a prolonged economic crisis marked by rapid currency devaluation and dwindling foreign exchange reserves, which forced it to seek external financial assistance from friendly nations and global financial institutions.
The country has seen an improvement in its macroeconomic indicators in recent months, though it has yet to fully recover from its financial difficulties.
Reflecting on his visit to Washington for the World Bank and IMF meetings earlier this year, Aurangzeb described the discussions as productive.
“They gave us a platform to share with the comity of nations about how we turned the economy around in 14 months,” he said. “We also got an important message, which is that there is no room for complacency and we must stay the course [of stringent economic reforms].”
Pakistan’s IT minister calls for bridging gender digital divide in address to Qatar conference
- Shaza Fatima says access to technology and Internet is important to ensure women empowerment
- She says women will overcome social hurdles, join mainstream politics after greater digital access
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s State Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima on Sunday called for closing the gender divide in the digital world, emphasizing that women could be empowered by providing access to modern technology and Internet connectivity.
She made the remarks while virtually addressing a conference in Qatar focused on “Digitalization and Women in Politics.”
“In the modern era, it is essential for women to have access to technology and the Internet,” Fatima said during the event, according to an official statement. “Women can be empowered through the provision of digital devices and Internet access.”
The minister said the Pakistani government was taking active steps to eliminate the barriers women face in accessing mobile phones and information and communication technology.
“We are working on a Gender Digital Divide Policy to ensure women’s access to the digital economy,” she informed. “The Prime Minister’s Free Laptop Scheme plays a significant role in providing access to digital tools.”
The minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to develop a “smartphone for all” policy, underscoring how such initiatives could help women overcome social and economic challenges in entering politics.
“Women face social and economic hurdles in entering politics,” she noted. “Through digitalization, women can be empowered and brought into mainstream politics.”
The event underscored growing interactions between Pakistan and Qatar in the technology sector.
Islamabad has stepped up efforts to forge technological collaborations with Doha, sending its first IT delegation to Qatar last December to attract investment and explore opportunities for Pakistani software houses and freelance developers.
Qatar, like much of the Gulf region, is diversifying its economy with a strong focus on technology. From smart city initiatives to tech start-ups and events like the FIFA World Cup 2022, the country is rapidly advancing its technological capabilities.
Pakistan’s top officials have underscored the potential for bilateral collaboration in tech-related areas, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inviting Qatari investors to explore opportunities in various economic sectors during his visit to the Arab state last month.
Karachi gears up for premier defense expo next week amid heightened security measures
- Launched in 2000, IDEAS has become a key biennial event for the international defense industry
- The event will host over 550 exhibitors, including 340 global defense companies, from 55 countries
KARACHI: A senior government official in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province said on Sunday extraordinary security measures have been implemented for the country’s premier defense exhibition, which is scheduled to commence in Karachi next week.
The International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), held biennially since its inception under General (r) Pervez Musharraf’s administration in 2000, has grown into a key event for the defense sector.
This year’s exhibition, running from Tuesday to Friday, will host over 550 exhibitors, including 340 international defense companies, alongside more than 350 senior civil and military officials from 55 countries.
Sindh’s Home Minister, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, told Arab News that police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies are working in coordination to enforce heightened security measures in connection with the event.
“The police, Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies are united and alert on one platform to implement extraordinary security measures,” he said.
Karachi has faced significant security challenges, including a suicide bombing near Jinnah International Airport last month that killed two Chinese engineers and injured several others. The city also grapples with high street crime rates, with over 90,000 incidents reported in 2023, causing considerable hardship for residents.
Additionally, Karachi’s traffic conditions are notoriously poor, especially during rush hours, and are exacerbated by rain or high-profile events, leading to severe congestion and delays.
The provincial minister added that Karachi’s traffic police would ensure smooth movement for both domestic and international visitors by publicizing alternative routes and addressing traffic-related concerns.
To bolster security, local authorities have already fortified the Expo Center, the venue for the exhibition, with multiple layers of containers.
A day earlier, Brig. Ali Adil, Director of Coordination for IDEAS 2024, outlined the event’s diverse activities during a news conference, which include live demonstrations of cutting-edge defense technology, an international seminar and the IDEAS Tri-Services Karachi Show.
The event will also offer opportunities for networking through business-to-business and business-to-government engagements.
“IDEAS 2024 will bring together representatives of defense industries from around the world to showcase their latest technological innovations, while Pakistan’s defense sector, including both public and private companies, will present products of international standards,” Brig. Adil said.
This year’s event will feature a new “Startups Pavilion” designed to offer international exposure to young Pakistani entrepreneurs, who will display innovative projects and technologies, he said.
Commodore Aitazaz Khalid, Director of Media for IDEAS, confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the exhibition on Tuesday.
An international seminar on “Pakistan Defense Production Potential – Challenges, Opportunities, and Way Forward” will be held on the third day of the event, with presentations from leading national and international experts.
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, will be the chief guest for the seminar.
For the visiting dignitaries and Karachi residents, the Tri-Services Karachi Show will be held at Nishan-e-Pakistan, located on the city’s seafront.
Deputy Inspector General of Traffic Police Iqbal Dara also briefed the media on the traffic management plan and alternative routes to ensure smooth access for attendees and ease congestion during peak hours.
He said IDEAS 2024 would set new records, surpassing previous milestones in terms of the exhibition space, number of exhibitors and international participants.
