ISLAMABAD: A top Pakistani health official says authorities are battling one of the worst-ever dengue fever outbreaks in the country, including the capital Islamabad as hospitals continued to receive scores of patients, putting strain on emergency services.
Rana Mohammad Safdar, at top official at the National Institute of Health, said Thursday that about 20,000 dengue cases and 34 deaths have been confirmed in recent months.
He said in an effort to contain the spread of disease, authorities are doing anti-mosquito spraying in urban areas.
Dengue is found in tropical areas around the world and is spread by a type of mosquito that mainly lives in urban areas.
Pakistan’s government attributes the outbreak to prolonged monsoon rains, while the opposition has accused the government of not taking timely steps to prevent it.
Official says dengue outbreak in Pakistan among worst-ever
Official says dengue outbreak in Pakistan among worst-ever
- 20,000 dengue cases and 34 deaths have been confirmed in recent months
- Government attributes the outbreak to prolonged monsoon rains
Saudi Arabia gifts Pakistan 100 tons of dates as part of efforts to enhance humanitarian outreach
- The consignment was presented by Saudi Arabia’s ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, KSrelief director Abdullah Al-Baqami
- ‘The noble act not only strengthens our ties but also reflects profound relationship our nations cherish,’ Pakistani official says
ISLAMABAD: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has gifted 100 tons of dates to Pakistan, Pakistani state media reported on Thursday, reinforcing the strong bond between the two nations.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and brotherly relations. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top destination for remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.
The annual donation of dates is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance its humanitarian outreach and foster bilateral relations with Pakistan, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported.
The consignment of dates was presented to Pakistan’s Director General Military Wing Brig. Alamgeer Ayub by Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center (KSrelief) Director Abdullah Al-Baqami in Islamabad.
“The gift exemplifies the enduring bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the two countries, rooted in shared values of generosity and mutual support,” the report read.
It said the Saudi government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Pakistani people through this heartfelt gesture.
On the occasion, Brig. Ayub expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom for its “unwavering generosity and consistent support” for Pakistan.
“This noble act of solidarity not only strengthens our ties but also reflects the profound relationship our nations cherish,” he was quoted as saying.
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief has implemented more than 200 projects, including emergency relief for natural disasters and initiatives to address food security, health care and education, in Pakistan worth millions of dollars to improve the lives of vulnerable communities.
Shan Masood wants ‘ruthless’ Pakistan to beat South Africa in second Test today
- South Africa narrowly beat Pakistan by two wickets in first Test match to secure WTC final berth
- Pakistan have yet to announce a playing XI as South Africa bring in debutant Kwena Maphaka
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood said that he wants his side to be “ruthless” as they take the field against South Africa for the second and final Test match of the series to be played at Cape Town today, Friday.
Pakistan are 1-0 down in the two-match series after losing a closely fought contest in the first Test at Centurion earlier this week.
A brave partnership between Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen helped South Africa beat Pakistan in the first Test by two wickets and qualify for the World Test Championship final.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Masood said the best teams are able to win matches because they tend to “make a habit out of it,”
“You want to compete against the best, not just compete you want to win against the best,” Masood said. “And for us it’s heartening to compete but we have to be ruthless and cross the line somewhere,” he added.
South Africa have made some changes to the squad, with Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder and debutant fast bowler Kwena Maphaka coming into the side. Opener Tony de Zorzi has a thigh strain, while fast bowling allrounder Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson also drop to the bench.
Pakistan have not yet named a squad for the series.
Playing XI (probable):
1 Shan Masood (capt) 2 Saim Ayub 3 Babar Azam 4 Kamran Ghulam 5 Saud Shakeel 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk) 7 Salman Ali Agha 8 Aamer Jamal/Noman Ali 9 Naseem Shah 10 Mohammad Abbas 11 Khurram Shahzad
Pakistan warns of Internet disruptions due to fault in submarine cable near Qatar
- AAe-1 cable is one of seven ones handling Pakistan’s international Internet traffic, says PTA
- Internet disruptions over past few months have affected millions of Pakistani users nationwide
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) warned on Thursday that Internet users may face disruptions nationwide due to a fault reported in an undersea cable near Qatar.
In a press release, the PTA said the fault was reported in the AAe-1 submarine cable located near Qatar, which is one of the seven cables handling Pakistan’s international Internet traffic.
“Due to this Internet and broadband users may face problems,” the PTA said.
The PTA said that its teams were working on fixing the problem.
“PTA is monitoring the situation and will keep telecom users informed from time to time,” the statement added.
Pakistan has reported faults in undersea Internet cables in the past as well. Internet disruptions over the past few months have affected millions of Pakistani users, adversely affected businesses and drawn nationwide complaints
Pakistan has 110 million Internet users, and up to 40 percent slower Internet speeds have affected nearly half the country’s 241 million population.
Digital rights experts, however, have cast doubts on the government’s statement about Internet disruptions in the past. Instead, they say that the government’s move to install a firewall to monitor and regulate content and social media platforms has caused the Internet to slow down.
Pakistan government, Imran Khan’s party to resume talks next week to break political deadlock
- Imran Khan’s party to present charter of demands in written form next week, says joint statement
- Khan’s ouster in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022 has plunged Pakistan into a political crisis
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the ruling coalition government will hold their third round of talks to break the prevalent political deadlock in the country next week, a joint statement from both sides said on Thursday.
The government and PTI held their second round of formal negotiations on Thursday. The first round of formal negotiations between the two sides took place on Dec. 23, with the PTI asked to present its demands in writing on Jan. 2.
Khan’s party has put forward two demands: the release of political prisoners and the establishment of judicial commissions to investigate protests on May 9, 2023, and Nov. 26, 2024, which the government says involved his party supporters, accusing them of attacking military installations and government buildings.
“The PTI committee informed that to present their Charter of Demands they be presented an opportunity to meet and consult Imran Khan and seek his guidance,” the joint statement said.
“They said that Imran Khan has allowed this negotiation process to begin so it is important to seek his instructions on taking it forward in a positive manner,” it added.
The committee said after meeting and holding discussions with Khan, it will be able to present its demands in the next meeting between the two sides.
The statement said Dar responded by saying that the government expected the PTI to present its demands in writing today, Thursday, so that the negotiation could move forward.
“It was decided that the third meeting of both the committees would be held next week after the PTI committee met with Imran Khan,” the statement said.
The government’s team was led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Irfan Siddiqui, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Syed Naveed Qamar, Farooq Sattar, Ijaz-ul-Haq, and Khalid Hussain Magsi.
The opposition committee included Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Salman Akram Raja, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Asad Qaisar, Omar Ayub, and Raja Nasir Abbas.
Khan’s ouster in a parliamentary no-trust vote in 2022 has plunged Pakistan into a political crisis, particularly since the PTI founder was jailed in August last year on corruption and other charges and remains behind bars. His party and supporters have regularly held protests calling for his release, with many of the demonstrations turning violent.
The talks between the two sides opened days after Khan threatened a civil disobedience movement, and amid growing concerns he may face trial by a military court for allegedly inciting attacks on sensitive security installations during the May 9, 2023, protests.
Pakistan Navy flotilla arrives in Iran, holds bilateral passage exercise
- Pakistan, Iran navy commanders discuss matters of mutual interest, cooperation in maritime security
- Exercise aimed to promote shared learning through coordinated activities between both navies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy said on Thursday its flotilla visited Iran’s Port Bandar Abbas where officials of the two navies held talks before a passage exercise was held.
According to the navy’s media release, Pakistan Navy ships Rasadgar and Azmat, along with Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ship Dasht, visited Port Bandar Abbas during their overseas deployment.
The flotilla was led by Commander 14th Destroyer Squadron, Commodore Muhammad Umair.
“The Mission Commander, along with the Commanding Officers, held meetings with naval leadership of Iran,” the statement said. “During these interactions, matters of mutual interest, Navy-to-Navy engagements, and cooperation in maritime security were discussed.”
Both the PN and PMSA ships later conducted a Passage Exercise with an Iranian Navy ship, the statement said.
It added that the exercise aimed to enhance interoperability between the two navies and promote shared learning through coordinated activities.
“The visit of the PN flotilla to Iran is expected to further strengthen existing diplomatic ties and cordial relations between the two nations,” Pakistan Navy said.
A passage exercise is a routine drill involving the navies of friendly foreign countries that occurs while visiting each other’s ports or during a rendezvous at sea.
Pakistan Navy regularly partakes in bilateral exercises with regional countries to stem the spread of illegal maritime activities such as human smuggling, piracy and drug trafficking.
