ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported first case of mpox virus this year in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, Pakistani state media reported on Saturday.
People who contract mpox get flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of complications from the infection.
Authorities detected the virus in a 35-year-old man during screening at the Peshawar airport, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“As soon as the case was reported, the public health team reached Peshawar airport and shifted the patient to Police Services Hospital,” Ehtesham Ali, adviser to provincial chief minister on health, was quoted as saying.
Pakistan confirmed its first mpox case in August last year and has since implemented screening protocols at all airports and border entry points. The South Asian country reported at least eight mpox cases in 2024.
The World Health Organization on August 14, 2024 declared a global health emergency over the spread of a new mutated strain of mpox named clade I, which first emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spread to several countries, leading to increased monitoring and preventive measures worldwide.
Pakistan has so far not reported any cases of the new mutation.

KARACHI: The home minister of Pakistan’s southern Sindh province on Saturday took notice of police harassment and extortion allegations leveled by Chinese nationals, directing authorities to launch a “comprehensive investigation” into the matter. 

Twelve Chinese nationals filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) December 2024 alleging they are being forced to pay bribes to police officers ranging from Rs20,000 ($71) to Rs50,000 ($179) for permission to leave their homes. It demanded a high-level inquiry into the involvement of police officers in their mistreatment. The SHC issued notices to the Sindh government, Pakistani foreign ministry and China’s missions in Pakistan on Friday, seeking their response within four weeks. 

A significant number of private Chinese investors have arrived and established businesses with local partners in Pakistan since the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure network of roads, energy and railways projects, was launched in 2013. 

In Sindh, the provincial government has established a Special Protection Unit (SPU) within the provincial police force to ensure the security of Chinese nationals, who have been under threat from separatist groups operating in neighboring Balochistan province. These groups have also carried out attacks on Chinese interests and citizens in Karachi, the capital of Sindh and commercial hub of the country.

“Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has taken notice of the Chinese investors’ decision to approach the Sindh High Court, issuing instructions to the IGP Sindh to immediately appoint a senior inquiry officer for a comprehensive investigation into the matter,” the Sindh home ministry said in a statement. 

As per the statement, Lanjar said the provincial government is committed to ensuring the security of Chinese nationals according to the set standard operating procedures. 

“Therefore, it must be ensured that at the provincial level, the “foolproof security” of Chinese nationals involved in both CPEC and non-CPEC projects is a joint responsibility of the Sindh government, Sindh Police and local sponsors or hosts,” the statement said. 

This is aimed at further strengthening the unwavering trust of Chinese investors in the Sindh government and Sindh Police.

Lanjar stressed that it is the Sindh government and provincial police’s goal to facilitate and provide security to Chinese investors through mutual cooperation. He admitted, however, that it is also important that sponsors and SPU officers take steps to monitor security measures. 

“Additionally, it is necessary to address any potential gaps, shortcomings, or deficiencies in the security measures for Chinese nationals,” the statement said. “Implementing the measures outlined by law and SOPs is critical to eliminating any security gaps.”

Lanjar said that if Chinese nationals face security-related complaints, senior officers must not only review the situation but also ensure “a prompt resolution, as Chinese citizens turn to the Sindh Police for assistance regarding security concerns.”

Amid the surge in attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan, Beijing has repeatedly urged Islamabad to ensure protection for its citizens living and working in the South Asian country.

A suicide blast claimed by the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) killed two Chinese nationals in Karachi in October, while five Chinese workers were killed in a suicide bombing in March 2024 in northwest Pakistan.

Pakistan says attacks on Chinese nationals are an international conspiracy to harm friendly ties between Pakistan and China.