ISLAMABAD: More than 86 million Pakistani children under the age of five were vaccinated against polio between 2014 and December 2020 under an UAE-funded assistance program, according to data shared by Emirates News Agency (WAM) on Saturday.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic, after Africa was declared polio-free last year. Last year, 84 polio cases were reported across Pakistani provinces.
The UAE Polio Vaccination Campaign is part of the UAE-Pakistan Assistance Program (UAE-PAP) launched by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in 2011 to support global efforts to protect communities against diseases and epidemics.
The crown prince has donated $247.8 million for the cause, with an emphasis on Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“The campaign’s success underscores the UAE’s leading role in reinforcing the efforts of the international community and the programs of the United Nations agencies that aim to protect communities from diseases, pandemics, crises and disasters,” UAE-PAP director Abdullah Khalifa Al-Ghafli said, as quoted by WAM.
The campaign covered high-risk areas, especially in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where over half of 500 million doses donated by the UAE were administered. Every month, the campaign targets 16 million children across the country as immunization needs to be repeated.
“Children in these areas are in constant need of vaccines throughout the year, due to malnutrition and weak immunity, as well as an environment that acts as an incubator of the disease, which makes the job of the program’s teams even harder, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Al-Ghafli added, as he praised Pakistani health workers who faced “dire field conditions and challenges.”
The highly infectious disease invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death. Children under five are the most vulnerable, but they can be fully protected with vaccines.
Over 86 million Pakistani children vaccinated against polio under UAE program
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Over 86 million Pakistani children vaccinated against polio under UAE program
- More than 500 million vaccine doses have been administered to Pakistani children since 2014
- Program’s director praises Pakistani polio workers who face "dire field conditions and challenges"
Pakistan central bank cuts key rate by 100 bps
- The bank’s governor said inflation would ease further in Jan. but noted core inflation remained elevated
- Jameel Ahmed said the forecast for full-year inflation in the year to June was an average of 5.5 percent to 7.5 percent
KARACHI: Pakistan’s central bank cut its key policy rate by 100 basis points to 12 percent on Monday, the governor told reporters, for a sixth straight reduction since June as the country attempts to revive business and economic sentiment amid easing inflation.
The State Bank of Pakistan has slashed rates by 1,000 bps from an all-time high of 22 percent in June 2024, in one of the most aggressive moves among central banks in emerging markets and topping the 625 bps in rate cuts it did in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bank’s governor Jameel Ahmad said at a press conference that the inflation rate would ease further in January but noted that core inflation remained elevated. He said the forecast for full-year inflation in the year to June was an average of 5.5 percent-7.5 percent.
Fourteen of 15 analysts surveyed by Reuters expected the central bank to cut its key rate by at least 100 bps mainly due to a drop in inflation.
Pakistan’s consumer inflation rate slowed to an over 6-1/2-year low of 4.1 percent in December, largely due to a high year-ago base. That was below the government’s forecast and significantly lower than a multi-decade high of around 40 percent in May 2023.
Pakistan’s economy grew by 0.92 percent in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25 which ends in June, according to data approved by the National Accounts Committee, and released by its Statistics Bureau in December.
The governor said that the bank maintained its forecast full-year GDP growth at 2.5 percent-3.5 percent.
Pakistan reaffirms support for Beijing after reports of interior minister attending anti-China event
Pakistan reaffirms support for Beijing after reports of interior minister attending anti-China event
- News outlets reported last week Mohsin Naqvi met members of political group opposed to Chinese state
- Pakistan’s FO says One-China position “consistent cornerstone” of its foreign policy that remains unchanged
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson reiterated support for the One-China Policy on Monday, days after news reports claimed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi attended a meeting by a group in Washington opposed to the Chinese state.
Local and international news outlets reported last week that Naqvi had attended an event in Washington by the New Federal State of China (NFSC), a political movement opposed to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Pakistani interior minister is in the United States to engage American lawmakers on issues of mutual concern, including militancy.
Naqvi denied the allegations while speaking to reporters on Sunday, describing them as “propaganda.” The minister said he had attended an event by US-based public relations firm Gunster Strategies in Washington, categorically stating that it was not opposed to the Chinese state.
Pakistan has always backed the One-China Policy, which is the diplomatic acknowledgment of Beijing’s stance that there is only one Chinese government. China uses this policy to form the basis of its ties with other countries regarding the status of Taiwan.
“Responding to media speculations, the spokesperson categorically rejected baseless and unfounded allegations to target Pakistan-China friendship,” the foreign office spokesperson said. “He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the foundational principle of the One-China Policy which is a consistent cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and remains unchanged.”
The spokesperson described China as Pakistan’s “all-weather strategic partner,” saying their bilateral relations are based on mutual trust, shared values, support on issues of core concern and a commitment to regional and global stability.
China, a major ally and investor in Pakistan, has pledged over $65 billion in investment in road, infrastructure and development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. CPEC is a part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive China-led infrastructure project that aims to connect various countries around the globe through trade.
Pakistan court sentences four men to death for ‘online blasphemy’
- Many of the online blasphemy cases are being brought to trial by private “vigilante groups” led by lawyers
- National Commission for Human Rights says 767 people jailed, awaiting trial for blasphemy allegations
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan court has sentenced four men to death for posting blasphemous content online, a member of a group of “vigilante” private lawyers that brought the prosecution said on Monday.
The four men were sentenced in Rawalpindi, the garrison city that neighbors the capital Islamabad, Rao Abdur Raheem, a lawyer from the Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan (LCBP), told AFP.
Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even unsubstantiated accusations can incite public outrage and lead to lynchings.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp increase in the prosecution of “online blasphemy” cases, with private groups bringing charges against hundreds of young individuals for allegedly committing blasphemy.
“They were sentenced to death... on Friday for spreading blasphemous content online against the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’an,” Raheem told AFP on Monday.
“Our case was supported by forensic evidence from the devices used in this heinous act,” he said of one of the LCBP’s latest prosecutions.
Despite the conviction, Pakistan has never executed anyone for blasphemy.
A member of a support group formed by the families confirmed the sentence to AFP and said the group would challenge the conviction.
“The pattern of arrests and prosecutions in this case is consistent with previous ones,” said the support group member, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.
“We urge the government to establish a commission to investigate the rise in these cases before these young individuals spend the best years of their lives behind bars.”
Many of the online blasphemy cases are being brought to trial by private “vigilante groups” led by lawyers and supported by volunteers who scour the Internet for offenders, rights groups and police say.
The LCBP is the most active of those groups in Pakistan.
Sheraz Ahmad Farooqi, one of the group’s leaders, told AFP in October that “God has chosen them for this noble cause.”
A report published by the government-run National Commission for Human Rights in October last year said there were 767 people, mostly young men, in jail awaiting trial over blasphemy allegations.
“In these cases, due process was notably disregarded, with significant procedural violations observed at multiple stages,” the report said.
“Arrests were often carried out by private individuals rather than law enforcement.”
Cases can drag through the courts for years, although death penalties are often commuted to life in prison on appeal at the Supreme Court.
A special court was formed in September to expedite the dozens of pending cases.
Pakistan’s Shahzeb Rind successfully defends lightweight title at Karate event in Florida
- Rind, 26, defeats three-time world champion Edgars Skivers 7-0
- Rind boasts a combined Wushu and Kickboxing record of 75-4
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Karate fighter Shahzeb Rind successfully defended his lightweight title against former three-time world champion Edgars Skrivers, defeating him 7-0 at the Karate Combat (KC) 52 event in Miami, the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PMMAF) announced on Sunday.
The KC52, a professional full-contact karate league, is part of a global karate MMA series featuring skilled fighters in action-packed competitions.
Rind, who hails from the impoverished southwestern Balochistan province, won his first martial arts title in 2011 after claiming victory in a provincial-level competition. His first national title came in 2019 when he triumphed at the National Games in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
During the two and half years of an undefeated Karate Combat career, Rind has fought fighters from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France and India.
“In a stunning display of skill and determination, Rind has claimed his second championship title after a hard-fought victory against Edgars Skrivers,” the PMMAF said.
“The intense showdown unfolded on Friday in Miami, captivating audiences with its electrifying energy and showcasing the best of competitive spirit.”
The statement said Rind delivered an “extraordinary” performance that kept his fans excited throughout the match, adding that his “dedication, relentless training, and remarkable skill” had solidified his position as one of the top contenders.
“Rind’s triumph is a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work,” the sports body said. “As fans celebrate this incredible achievement, they eagerly await what the future holds for this rising star.”
The Pakistan Embassy in New York congratulated Rind on defending his title.
“Heartfelt congratulations to MMA fighter Shahzaib Rind, the brave son of Pakistan who hails from Balochistan, on defending his lightweight title in Miami, Florida, USA and becoming the world champion for the second time,” the embassy said on X. “Shahzaib Rind dedicated his victory to the people of Pakistan.”
Rind boasts a combined Wushu and Kickboxing record of 75-4, the majority of which was attained while training himself by watching YouTube videos. He is currently training under Asim Zaidi at the renowned Goat Shed gym in Miami.
Zaidi is the president of Karate Combat, a brand that promotes the first professional full-contact karate league, hosting worldwide events since April 2018.
Pakistan sacks 18% railways employees in bid to implement IMF reforms in state entities
- Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs review meeting on Pakistan Railways performance
- IMF has pressed Pakistan to improve governance in state-owned assets for financial bailouts
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has sacked 18% of its “unnecessary staff” in a bid to improve the state-owned asset’s performance, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed on Monday according to a statement from his office, as Islamabad moves to implement ambitious reforms mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in exchange for a financial bailout.
Improving governance in loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has long been on the IMF’s list of recommendations for Pakistan, which has turned to the international lender for frequent financial bailouts, the latest of which was a $7 billion loan last year. Pakistan’s prolonged economic crisis has forced the country to implement an ambitious reforms program designed by the IMF, which includes privatizing public sector organizations and laying off unnecessary staff to enhance their revenue.
Pakistan’s SOEs have accumulated losses in the billions over the years due to mismanagement, operational challenges, high debt loads, inefficiencies and alleged corruption. Pakistan’s railways sector has also been poorly managed over the years, with the country witnessing several train accidents over the past few years due to decades-old signal systems and tracks.
Sharif chaired a meeting to review the railway sector’s performance on Monday which was attended by senior cabinet ministers and officials, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
“As part of the Pakistan Railways rightsizing process, 18% of unnecessary staff has been laid off,” Sharif was briefed during the meeting, according to the PMO.
Sharif issued instructions to Pakistan Railways to attract passengers in a competitive manner, calling on the organization to provide better travel services to passengers through public-private partnerships.
He also instructed railways to hire professional and capable manpower, and replace its old system with modern technology that is more in line with today’s age, the PMO said.
Sharif was briefed that the railways suffered losses of Rs10 billion during the devastating floods of 2022, during which most of its tracks remained underwater for 35 days.
“Pakistan Railways improved its performance through various measures after the 2022 floods and has so far earned a profit equal to the initial cost of its freight operations,” the PM was told.
The Pakistani premier urged railways to use its land for business activities in collaboration with the private sector, directing it to formulate a strategy to increase trade in the region, especially with Central Asian countries.
