ISLAMABAD: The spread of rumors on social media earlier this year that some children had been poisoned from contaminated polio vaccines has caused high refusal rates in Pakistan since, a senior World Health Orgarnization (WHO) official said on Thursday, leaving over three million children unvaccinated
The rumors, including that some children had died from polio vaccinations, were spread on social media platforms in April by religious hard-liners in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The misinformation triggered mass panic in the province as mobs burned a village health center, blocked a highway and pelted cars with stones. Medical workers were harassed and threatened and panicked parents rushed their children to hospitals, overwhelming health authorities.
Families of hundreds of thousands of children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and elsewhere have since refused to participate in polio campaigns to eradicate the virus that can cause paralysis and death.
“The incidents caused by false rumors are the main cause of missing vaccinations,” Dr. Abdirahman Mahamud, Pakistan team leader for polio at the World Health Organization (WHO), told Arab News in an interview on Thursday.
Other than the April rumors which led to two million refusals, Mahamud said a similar incident in Nawabshah in the southern Sindh province caused an additional one million families to refuse vaccination.
As WHO marked October 24, World Polio Day, to raise awareness and resources in support of polio eradication efforts, it said global polio cases had been cut by more than 99% since 1988. However, type 1 polio virus is still endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where it has infected a total of 88 people this year. That is a resurgence from a record low global annual figure of 22 cases in 2017.
Polio invades the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within hours. It cannot be cured, but infection can be prevented by vaccination — and a dramatic reduction in cases worldwide in recent decades has been due to intense national and regional immunization campaigns in babies and children.
In unvaccinated populations, however, polio viruses can re-emerge and spread swiftly. Cases of vaccine-derived polio can also occur in places where immunity is low and sanitation is poor, as vaccinated people can excrete the virus, putting the unvaccinated at risk.
The polio infection also has seasonal peaks and epidemics in the summer and fall in temperate areas, and repeats its season after every 3 to 4 years, Mahamud said, adding that eradication efforts had to target the off-peak season for the virus to be wiped out for good.
“Last time this cycle hit Pakistan was in 2014 when there were 306 cases reported but this year so far, we have recorded 76 cases. As long as the virus exist in three major hubs — Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta — the whole country is at risk,” Mahamud said.
He said the vaccine used in Pakistan was well tested and secure: “It has been used in many countries, all propaganda regarding its negative effects is false.”
Mahamud added: “It is a false assumption that polio teams do not take proper care of vaccination as they are the same people who took the numbers of polio cases from more than 30,000 to only 8 in 2017 within two decades.”
Mahamud said even if all of 39.5 million children under the age of 5 years were vaccinated in Pakistan this year, it would still take 18 months to show results.
“WHO is providing all technical assistance for capacity building at the national, provincial and district level,” he said. “The Pakistani government has taken $160 million from Islamic Development Bank for this program and we are facilitating in distribution of that fund to the frontline workers”.
State minister for health Dr. Zafar Mirza said the government was taking multiple steps to make Pakistan polio free in the next 2-3 years.
“The government has worked very intensely during the last two months, to find the best team to serve the purpose of eradicating polio from Pakistan,” he said on the sidelines of a ceremony organized to commemorate World Polio Day in Islamabad. “Now we have the best professionals to lead our national and provincial emergency operation centers.”
The minister said 260,000 polio workers in total were working to vaccinate children even in the most remote areas: “We are plugging in all the gaps we found at the union council, district, provincial and national level … We have figured out many problems and now trying to solve them through practical steps.”
Three million children left unvaccinated as polio rumors stoke refusals — WHO
Three million children left unvaccinated as polio rumors stoke refusals — WHO
- WHO marks October 24 as World Polio Day to raise awareness and resources for polio eradication efforts
- Global polio cases have dropped by 99% since 1988 but the virus is still endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan
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.
Pakistan to organize single-country trade exhibition in Jeddah in February — official
- Around 100 Pakistani companies to participate in three-day exhibition from Feb. 5-7, says official
- Companies offering agro products, engineering, textile, garments and services invited to take part in exhibition
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will organize a single-country trade exhibition in Jeddah from Feb. 5-7 next year, an official of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) said on Sunday, in which products from around 100 companies will be showcased as Islamabad eyes the Saudi market to boost its exports.
Islamabad and Riyadh have been working in recent months to increase bilateral trade and investment, and the Kingdom this year reaffirmed its commitment to expedite an investment package worth $5 billion for Pakistan.
Pakistani and Saudi businesses had signed 27 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth $2.2 billion in October. During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Kingdom last month, the two countries agreed to enhance that figure to $2.8 billion.
“Pakistan will organize a single-country exhibition from Feb. 5-7, 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the aim of increasing exports to the Kingdom,” Faisal Awan, TDAP’s deputy manager, told Arab News.
The TDAP will organize the exhibition, which Awan said would feature 100 Pakistani companies so they can “showcase their products directly to Saudi buyers in their own country.”
The official said TDAP has already published advertisements inviting Pakistani companies to showcase their products, setting Nov. 25 as the deadline to apply.
“We have invited companies from all sectors including engineering, agro products, textile and garments and services,” Awan added.
TDAP has also invited manufacturers from various sectors such as engineering, home appliances, machinery, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, cables and agro products such as fruits, vegetables, rice, meat, seafood, spices and processed foods, according to the advertisement seen by Arab News.
The invitation also extends to the textile and garments sector that offers knitwear, ready-made garments, home textiles, yarns, linen and fabrics, as well as the services sector which covers telecom, computer and information services.
“So far, we have received an excellent response with over 50 applications submitted in just over a week,” Awan said.
The TDAP is providing a subsidy of around 80 percent on the rates for stalls at the exhibition, Awan shared. He said the authority is charging only Rs 200,000 ($720) for each stall while the actual cost is around Rs 1.2 million ($4,319).
“Other arrangements such as visa, air tickets and accommodation must be handled by the company itself,” he said.
Awan said that while every market has its dynamics, Pakistan has a lot of expectations from the Saudi market due to the increasing business collaborations between the two countries in recent months.
“Since we have had a lot of delegations coming and going from Saudi Arabia in recent months, our expectations are very high,” Awan said. “And we aim to secure orders in the millions of dollars.”
The TDAP official said leads generated during the exhibition would be expected to materialize in the next five to six months.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and cultural ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates and serves as the top source of remittances to the cash-strapped South Asian nation.
Islamabad has eyed increasing collaboration in economic and trade sectors as it grapples with a prolonged economic crisis that drained its resources, triggered double-digit inflation in the country and weakened its currency over the past two years.
In 2023, Pakistan formed the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a hybrid civil-military body tasked with fast-tracking decisions related to foreign investment.
The SIFC aims to attract investment in minerals, agriculture, livestock, energy, tourism and other vital sectors of Pakistan’s economy, mostly from Gulf countries.
Direct Pakistan-Bangladesh shipping route marks rebuilding ties
- Dhaka’s ties with New Delhi frayed after former PM Sheikh Hasina flew to India after violent protests
- Ship from Karachi brought goods from Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates to Bangladesh’s Chittagong
DHAKA: The first cargo ship in decades to sail directly from Pakistan to Bangladesh successfully unloaded its containers, port officials told AFP Sunday, as both sides seek to rebuild ties after decades of frosty relations.
The two countries, once one nation, split in 1971 after a brutal war, with Bangladesh then drawing closer to Pakistan’s rival India.
But its ties with New Delhi have frayed after a student-led revolution in August toppled Bangladesh’s autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India by helicopter.
The 182-meter (597-foot) long container ship — the Panama-flagged Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan — had sailed from Pakistan’s Karachi to Bangladesh’s Chittagong.
Top Chittagong port official Omar Faruq confirmed to AFP on Sunday that the ship had unloaded its cargo on November 11 before departing.
Pakistan’s envoy to Dhaka, Syed Ahmed Maroof, sparked widespread discussion on social media in Bangladesh when he said after the docking that the direct shipping route was “a major step” in boosting trade across the region.
The route will “promote new opportunities for businesses on both sides,” Maroof wrote on Facebook.
Chittagong port authorities said the ship brought goods from Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, including raw materials for Bangladesh’s key garment industry and basic foodstuffs.
In September, Bangladesh eased import restrictions on Pakistani goods, which previously required a mandatory physical inspection on arrival which resulted in long delays.
Pakistani goods previously had to be off-loaded onto feeder vessels — usually in Sri Lanka, Malaysia or Singapore — before traveling to Bangladesh.
Pakistan unveils first Carbon Market Policy to attract green investment, curb pollution
- Pakistan wants to transition toward a low-carbon economy, says PM’s coordinator on climate change
- Carbon markets refer to systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by offering financial incentives
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam on Sunday unveiled the country’s first National Carbon Market Policy, saying that the government wanted to attract investments in green initiatives and transition toward a low-carbon economy.
Carbon markets refer to systems that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing companies or organizations to buy and sell “carbon credits.” This is achieved by offering financial incentives to these entities to cut emissions.
Pakistan is ranked the 5th most vulnerable country to climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. In 2022, devastating floods killed over 1,700 people and affected over 33 million, with economic losses exceeding $30 billion. International donors pledged over $9 billion last January to aid Pakistan’s flood recovery but officials say little of the promised funds have been received so far.
“Let me say this confidently that Pakistan is now ready to lead, innovate and collaborate with local private sector as well as international partners for the development of carbon markets to attract investments in green initiatives for achieving climate goals under the Paris climate pact,” Alam said in a statement.
Alam was attending an event held at the Pakistan Pavilion in Baku, during the sidelines of the global COP29 climate conference, to launch the country’s first carbon market policy. The event was attended by members of international civil society organizations, delegation members of different countries, academia, researchers, policymakers and journalists.
“By participating in such markets, Pakistan can incentivize businesses and industries to adopt cleaner technologies and practices,” she said.
Alam said the success of Pakistan’s carbon markets will depend on its ability to collaborate with international partners.
“We welcome partnerships with international investors, organizations, and governments to ensure that this market becomes a regional and global success story,” she said.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who spoke at a number of events at COP29 earlier this week, used the forum to highlight the need to restore confidence in the pledging process and increase climate finance for vulnerable, developing countries.
The main task for nearly 200 countries at the COP29 summit from Nov. 11-22 is to broker a deal that ensures up to trillions of dollars in financing for climate projects worldwide.
