WHO team set to arrive in Pakistan after 700 test positive for HIV in Sindh

Health officials say more than 600people, many of them children, have tested HIV positive in recent weeks as experts warn of a surge in infection rates across Pakistan. (AFP)
Updated 11 June 2019
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WHO team set to arrive in Pakistan after 700 test positive for HIV in Sindh

  • Officials say number of infected people, mostly children, likely to increase to thousands as screening continues
  • Information Minister rubbishes claims that the issue is limited to the province

KARACHI: A team of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) were expected to arrive in Karachi on Tuesday to probe reasons for a major HIV outbreak in the southern Sindh province of Pakistan, a senior official told Arab News.
The visit follows official reports which placed the number of people testing positive for HIV at 700, with figures expected to increase to 1,000, even as screening for the condition remains on track.
Authorities were first alerted of the burgeoning crisis after 18 children – mostly from a town on the outskirts of Larkana city – tested positive for the virus in the last week of April.
Officials 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 has been arrested and a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) interrogating him is expected to submit its report by Thursday,” Kamran Nawaz, a senior police officer and head of the JIT, told Arab News on Monday, adding that it’s yet to be ascertained whether the act was done on purpose.
However, a health official told Arab News that the WHO team would be able to ascertain the actual reasons for the outbreak.




According to the Sindh AIDS Control Program, more than 21,872 people were screened for the virus – between April 25, 2019 and May 27, 2019 – using the Rapid Diagnostic Test, of which 700 have tested positive for the condition. Of these 700 cases from Ratodero, 354 (50.6%) are identified as male and 346 (49.4%) as female. (Source  SACP).


“A ten-member team, comprising experts from three different countries including USA – scheduled to reach Karachi today – will test the virus to identify the causes of the outbreak,” Dr. Abdul Baseer Achakzai, manager of the Pakistan’s National AIDs Control Program (NACP) said.
“Previously, unsafe sex and blood transfusion had been the major causes of HIV infection in Pakistan,” Achakzai said, adding that the virus had spread in Ratodero over the past several years, but it was only last month – after several children were tested for the condition – that the issue was brought to light.
“We will get the true cause and decide a strategy accordingly after the expert team’s examination,” Achakzai said, adding that officials estimated that nearly 60,000 had been infected by the virus in Sindh alone.
While the provincial government has faced a lot of flak for its inaction, Sindh’s Information Minister Murataza Wahab said the findings are factually incorrect.
“It is not factually correct that the outbreak is only in Sindh. The HIV issue is prevalent all over the country and there needs to be a concerted [effort] at the center, taking all provinces on board,” Wahab told Arab News, adding that the province has done considerable work to limit the spread of the disease, including passing a number of legislations.




According to the Sindh AIDS Control Program, more than 21,872 people were screened for the virus – between April 25, 2019 and May 27, 2019 – using the Rapid Diagnostic Test, of which 700 have tested positive for the condition. Authorities say the number is expected to rise to 1,000 with screening underway. (Source SACP)

“The immediate response was to conduct blood screening to ascertain the situation and then make a strategy of countering the virus and helping the patients. All immediate steps have been taken,” he said.
He added that the Sindh government will be establishing an endowment fund to take care of the financial needs of the infected patients on a permanent basis, too.
Earlier on May 25, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairman of Sindh’s ruling party had visited the area to take stock of the situation, following which he presided over several meetings for the same.
“HIV is not a death sentence. The conflation of HIV and AIDS is fueling stigmatization of the most vulnerable people in Pakistan. This cannot and should not be tolerated. I stand by my fellow Pakistanis who have contracted HIV, be they in Ratodero, Swabi, Sargodha or Turbat,” Bilawal had tweeted after his visit to a treatment center in Ratodero.
“From the Sindh HIV and AIDS Control and Prevention Bill 2013 to the free distribution of contraceptives, Sindh has and will continue to pass and enact the most progressive legislation and programs to protect the most vulnerable,” he continued.
The outbreak has, however, created a sense of panic among people in the area, with several choosing not to interact with those infected by the virus. Authorities, for their part, said they are engaging with groups to do away with misconceptions about the disease.




According to the Sindh AIDS Control Program, more than 21,872 people were screened for the virus – between April 25, 2019 and May 27, 2019 – using the Rapid Diagnostic Test, of which 700 have tested positive for the condition. The group that is most impacted is between 2-5 years of age with 395 (56.4%) cases reported, followed by children in the age group of 6-15 years with 128 (18.3%) cases.

“HIV and AIDS are two different entities, if some one is HIV positive he can be treated so that he can not develop AIDS,” Dr. Masood Solangi, head of the Sindh AIDs control program told Arab News.
“HIV is not spread by living together, eating together, its route of transmission is unsafe sex and contaminated injections,” he said, adding that his team is working by the hour to spread awareness among the affected communities. “The Health Department has curtailed the outbreak and it is now limited to Ratodero,” Solangi said.
With a majority of those infected being children, Solangi said they have controlled the source of the spread by cracking down on illegal medical practitioners. “We have sealed more than 800 clinics of quacks. We have established special treatment centers in Larkana for children so that they do not have to travel to Karachi for treatment,” he said.
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.


Pakistan launches vehicle emissions testing in Islamabad to combat air pollution

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Pakistan launches vehicle emissions testing in Islamabad to combat air pollution

  • Smoke-emitting vehicles entering the federal capital to face fines or be impounded
  • Pakistan aims for 30 percent of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030 under EV policy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched emissions testing for vehicles entering the federal capital, Islamabad, in a bid to reduce air pollution and improve air quality, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Friday.

The move follows the launch of the emission testing system in the country’s most populous Punjab province in May, the first initiative of its kind ever taken in the country.

Emissions testing for vehicles is a process that measures the pollutants released from a vehicle’s exhaust to ensure compliance with environmental standards. It evaluates the levels of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.

“The greatest damage caused to the environment is through vehicle emissions,” Chaudhry said while speaking to the media.

“Such testing has never been conducted before in Islamabad, but it has been initiated now,” he continued, adding that every car would be checked according to international standards before being certified.

Chaudhry announced the government would first inspect official vehicles before expanding the initiative to private vehicles.

“No smoke emitting vehicle will be allowed to enter Islamabad,” he added. “If it enters, there will be a fine, cars will be impounded and it will be dealt according to law.”

Earlier this year in June, Pakistan unveiled its Electric Vehicle Policy 2025–2030, setting a target for 30 percent of all new vehicle sales to be electric by the end of the decade.

The policy, which covers cars, buses, motorcycles and rickshaws, aims to accelerate Pakistan’s transition to sustainable transport, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and curb climate-warming emissions.

Pakistan imports the majority of its energy, and its urban centers rank among the most polluted in the world, primarily due to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions.

This severe air pollution poses a serious threat to public health, undermines economic productivity and diminishes the quality of life for millions of residents.


Google expands creative AI tools in Pakistan with Veo 3 and Flow

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Google expands creative AI tools in Pakistan with Veo 3 and Flow

  • Users can now transform their favorite photos into vivid eight-second video clips with sound
  • The photo-to-video feature on Veo 3 requires users to upload images and describe the scene

KARACHI: Google has expanded access to its advanced video generation model, Veo 3, allowing users in Pakistan and over 150 other countries to create eight-second videos from photos with sound, the company said in a statement released Friday.

The move comes amid a global surge in interest in creative AI tools, with content creators using different platforms to generate video stories and bring still images to life. With Pakistan’s growing pool of digital creators, the rollout is expected to spur local innovation in short-form content.

“This new capability allows users to transform their favorite photos into vivid eight-second video clips with sound through a powerful photo-to-video feature built on Veo 3,” Google said.

To use the feature, users select “Videos” from the tool menu, upload a photo, and describe the scene and audio. The system then generates a video that can be downloaded or shared.

The tool is accessible through Gemini, Google’s AI-powered assistant that combines search, image generation and content creation features into a single interface.

These capabilities are also integrated into Flow, Google’s AI tool for filmmakers, which now supports speech, background audio, and sound effects.

Google also underscored its commitment to responsible AI development.

“All videos generated with Gemini include a visible watermark and an invisible SynthID digital marker to indicate they are AI-created,” it said.


Pakistan, UAE agree to ease visa process for Pakistani citizens

Updated 11 July 2025
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Pakistan, UAE agree to ease visa process for Pakistani citizens

  • Mohsin Naqvi discusses enhanced security, anti-narcotics, and tech cooperation during Abu Dhabi visit
  • Pakistani interior minister briefed on crime prevention and public safety at UAE police operations center

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to take “necessary steps” to facilitate visa issuance for Pakistani citizens during a high-level meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Emirati counterpart in Abu Dhabi, according to an official statement released on Friday.

The development comes amid growing concerns over visa delays and restrictions reportedly faced by Pakistani nationals seeking employment in the UAE. Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also raised the issue in a meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.

The UAE is home to over 1.5 million Pakistanis and remains a major source of remittances.

“It was also mutually agreed to ensure necessary steps to facilitate visas for Pakistani citizens, especially work visas,” the interior ministry said in a statement issued after the meeting. “The UAE Minister of Interior assured full cooperation in this regard.”

Naqvi said the fraternal relations with the UAE were valued by all Pakistanis. He also highlighted that a large number of them were playing a key role in strengthening the UAE’s economy.

“We want Pakistani citizens to be able to come to the UAE easily and easing visa policies will greatly benefit them,” he added.

During his talks with UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in multiple areas including security, anti-narcotics, anti-smuggling and preventing illegal immigration.

The discussion also included regional peace and the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence to tackle security challenges.

Later, the Pakistani minister visited Abu Dhabi’s state-of-the-art police operations room, where he was briefed on crime prevention and public safety systems.

He expressed particular interest in the UAE’s advanced police monitoring model and praised the country’s use of technology for law enforcement.


Pakistan court suspends order seeking YouTube ban on government critics

Updated 11 July 2025
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Pakistan court suspends order seeking YouTube ban on government critics

  • YouTube has warned 27 content creators their channels may be blocked if they fail to comply with a court order seeking to ban them
  • Digital rights groups warn the move could further erode free speech in Pakistan, where authorities face criticism for silencing dissent

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani court on Friday suspended an order seeking to ban the YouTube channels of more than two dozen critics of the government including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, a defense lawyer said.

Alphabet-owned YouTube this week told 27 content creators that it could block their channels — including those of journalists and Khan and his opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf — if they failed to comply with a judicial magistrate court order seeking to ban them.

A regional communication manager for YouTube did not respond to a Reuters request for a comment.

The judicial magistrate court in Islamabad had said it was seeking the ban after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency criticized the channels in a June 2 report for “sharing highly intimidating, provocative and derogatory contents against state institutions and officials of the state of Pakistan.”

The decision to suspend the order was taken by an additional sessions judge, said Imaan Mazari, the lawyer for two of the YouTube content creators.

In Pakistan, an additional sessions judge is a judicial officer who presides over a sessions court, handling both civil and criminal cases.

“Our submission is that the order has no legal basis. It was a one-sided decision without giving defense a chance to be heard,” Mazari said.

She also said the magistrate court had no jurisdiction over the matter.

The next hearing in the sessions court is on July 21.

In Pakistan’s judicial system, cases start at civil and judicial magistrate courts and appeals are heard in high courts and the Supreme Court.

Digital rights campaigners say that any ban would further undermine free speech in Pakistan, where the authorities are accused of stifling newspapers and television, and social media is seen as one of the few outlets for dissent.


Islamabad, Moscow sign protocol to restore and modernize Pakistan Steel Mills

Updated 11 July 2025
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Islamabad, Moscow sign protocol to restore and modernize Pakistan Steel Mills

  • The Pakistan Steel Mills has been non-operational since 2015 due to years of financial mismanagement, political interference and mounting losses
  • Both sides discussed plans to modernize the major steel complex on the sidelines of the recent INNOPROM Annual Industrial Forum in Yekaterinburg

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia have signed a protocol to restore and modernize the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) in Karachi, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.

The development comes days after the two sides discussed plans to modernize the major steel complex and expand industrial cooperation on the sidelines of the INNOPROM Annual Industrial Forum in Yekaterinburg.

INNOPROM, Russia’s largest annual industrial trade fair, brings together government delegations, business leaders and technology firms from over 30 countries to explore partnerships in manufacturing, engineering and high-tech industries.

The protocol was signed at the Pakistan Embassy in Moscow by Pakistan’s Secretary of Industries and Production Saif Anjum and Russian General Director of Industrial Engineering LLC Vadim Velichko, reaffirming the long-standing industrial partnership.

“The project aims to restart and expand steel production [in Pakistan], marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation,” read a report on Radio Pakistan broadcaster.

The PSM, once Pakistan’s flagship industrial complex, was built in the 1970s with Soviet assistance. While it symbolized national self-sufficiency, the mill has been non-operational since 2015 due to years of financial mismanagement, political interference and mounting losses.

Moscow is also expected to finalize an agreement with Islamabad this summer to construct a new steel mill in Karachi, Russian Consul-General Andrey B. Fedorov told Arab News this month.

Technical experts from Russia have already inspected the proposed site for the new facility, and another delegation is expected soon to draft a detailed roadmap.

Russia has a long history of industrial cooperation with Pakistan, having previously built key infrastructure projects such as the Guddu Power Station in Sindh in the 1980s, one of the country’s major electricity producers.
Moscow and Islamabad have expanded cooperation in recent years despite global tensions over the war in Ukraine.