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Pakistan's EEC among world's top social protection responses to pandemic

Women gather to collect cash through a mobile wallet under the governmental Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme for families in need during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Rawalpindi on April 14, 2020. (AFP)
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Updated 16 May 2021
ARAB NEWS PAKISTAN 
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Pakistan's EEC among world's top social protection responses to pandemic

  • Government funded nearly 100 million low-income households as part of its Ehsaas Emergency Cash initiative 
  • Approach was most useful as it covered a large part of the population, the report said, ranking Pakistan third globally 
Updated 16 May 2021
ARAB NEWS PAKISTAN 

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has ranked Pakistan’s Ehsaas Emergency Cash (EEC) program among the top four global social protection measures, based on the percentage of population covered, amid the third wave of the COVID-19 outbreak across the country. 

In its report released on Saturday, the World Bank commended the South Asian nation’s initiative to provide a one-time cash grant of Rs 12,000 ($77) to nearly 100 million low-income households. 

“In Pakistan, where social insurance coverage is very low, the filters included having a public sector worker in the household, vehicle and property ownership and the amount spent on telephone bills,” the World Bank report said. 

“This approach was most useful when the social registry covered a large part of the population and the information on households was up to date,” it added. 

In a Twitter post on Saturday, Senator Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, who is also leading the EEC program, said: “Pakistan is 3rd globally in terms of percentage of population covered.” 

https://twitter.com/SaniaNishtar/status/1393483579552829444?s=20 
Sania Nishtar on Twitter
“World Bank recognizes #EhsaasEmergencyCash among top 4 social protection interventions globally in terms of number of people covered. Pakistan is 3rd globally in terms of percentage of population covered. 

A relief package worth Rs 1.2 trillion was announced by Pakistan’s government in March last year, “which has been almost fully implemented,” according to the report. 

The package included an accelerated procurement of wheat, financial support to utility stores, a reduction in regulated fuel prices, support for health and food supplies and relief in electricity bill payments. 

Topics: Ehsaas Emergency Cash (EEC) Pakistan Sania Nishtar

Pakistan reports first case of mpox virus this year

Updated 6 sec ago
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Pakistan reports first case of mpox virus this year

  • Authorities detected the virus in a 35-year-old man during screening at the Peshawar airport, shifted him to isolation ward
  • Since reporting first case in August, Pakistan has implemented screening protocols at all airports and border entry points
Updated 6 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

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.

Topics: mpox pakistan

Pakistani security forces kill four militants in restive northwest

Updated 2 min 47 sec ago
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Pakistani security forces kill four militants in restive northwest

  • Pakistan has struggled to curb militancy in its northwest since a truce with Pakistani Taliban collapsed in 2022
  • In 2024 alone, the military reported that 383 Pakistani soldiers and 925 militants were killed in various clashes
Updated 2 min 47 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistani security forces have killed four militants in an intelligence-based operation in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani military said on Saturday, amid a surge in militancy in the region.
The operation was conducted in KP’s Khyber district, which border Afghanistan, on reported presence of militants, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
The deceased militants were actively involved in militant activities against security forces and killing of innocent civilians. Two other militants were injured in the gunfight.
“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji [militant] found in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement.
Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy in KP since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the state broke down in November 2022. The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
In 2024 alone, the military reported that 383 soldiers and 925 militants were killed in various clashes.
Saturday’s operation came two weeks after Pakistani security forces killed nine militants in two separate engagements in KP’s North Waziristan district.
Islamabad has frequently blamed the surge in militancy on Afghanistan, accusing it of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement and insist that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.

Topics: Pakistan Afghanistan border

Pakistan province orders comprehensive probe into alleged police harassment of Chinese nationals

Updated 25 January 2025
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Pakistan province orders comprehensive probe into alleged police harassment of Chinese nationals

  • Group of Chinese nationals filed petition in high court accusing Sindh Police of extorting, imposing unlawful restrictions on them
  • Sindh official says it si necessary for police to take measures to address potential security gaps to ensure Chinese nationals’ security
Updated 25 January 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

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.

Topics: Karachi Police Sindh police Chinese nationals in Pakistan

‘Between Sacred Cities’: Pakistan’s Imran Qureshi unveils largest installation at Islamic Arts Biennale

Updated 25 January 2025
ARAB NEWS PAKISTAN 
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‘Between Sacred Cities’: Pakistan’s Imran Qureshi unveils largest installation at Islamic Arts Biennale

  • Installation reimagines historic route that stretched from Kufa in Iraq to holy city of Makkah
  • Qureshi, a Pakistani visual artist, has featured artworks in local and international exhibitions
Updated 25 January 2025
ARAB NEWS PAKISTAN 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi on Saturday unveiled “Between Sacred Cities,” the largest installation at the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 in Jeddah, his art reimagining a historic route that once stretched from Kufa in Iraq to the holy city of Makkah. 

The Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 provides a platform for new discourse about Islamic arts, featuring contemporary and newly commissioned artworks with historical objects from Islamic cultures. It offers artists a platform to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and the intersection of past and present. This year’s biennale will run from Jan. 25-May 25. 

According to Lotus, a public relations agency, the installation is situated between the iconic Makkah and Madina pavilions at the Western Hajj Terminal. 

“The installation reimagines a historic route that once stretched from Kufa, Iraq, to Makkah,” Lotus said. 

“Designed to aid pilgrims on their Hajj journey, this route served as a network of resting stations and water sources, inspiring Qureshi’s interpretation of an oasis as a sanctuary of rest, reflection, and unity.”

The statement said that the concept of an oasis in the installation is transformed into an interactive and contemplative garden-like structure, central to which is an octagonal design. 

“Drawing on the spiritual essence of the journey between Makkah and Madina, the installation incorporates the holy water of Zamzam and lush greenery reminiscent of Madina’s tranquillity,” it added. 

Qureshi has used vibrant woven strips to symbolize flowing water while the surrounding greenery evokes a sense of life, Lotus said. 

The installation has been commissioned by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and curated by acclaimed artist Muhannad Shono. 

“Between Sacred Cities will be on display from January 25, 2025, to May 25, 2025, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to explore the universal themes of travel, spirituality, and interconnectedness,” Lotus said. 

Qureshi is a visual artist from Pakistan’s southern Sindh province. With a career spanning twenty-nine years, encompassing local and international exhibitions, he has emerged as a prominent Pakistani artist.

In 2013, he created a large-scale, site-specific work for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Roof Garden Commission in New York. The same year he was awarded the Deutsche Bank’s Artist of the Year and exhibited solo for the first time in Europe at the Deutsche Bank Kunsthalle in Berlin. 

Qureshi’s work has since been shown in numerous solo exhibitions, including the Barbican Center, London (2016), Kunsten Museum of Modern Art, Aalborg, Denmark (2016), along with executing site-specific projects at the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. (2018) and Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (2018), to name a few. 

In 2021 he was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) by Pakistan’s government.

Topics: Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah Jeddah’s Islamic Arts Biennale

Imran Khan’s party moves top court against Pakistan constitutional amendment on judicial reforms

Updated 25 January 2025
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Imran Khan’s party moves top court against Pakistan constitutional amendment on judicial reforms

  • Urges top court to declare amendment null and void as votes to pass it were obtained via “harassment”
  • Pakistan’s ruling coalition government says only parliament has power to roll back constitutional amendments
Updated 25 January 2025
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced on Saturday it has challenged a contentious constitutional amendment on judicial reforms in the Supreme Court, urging the top court to declare it null and void as the government allegedly harassed opposition lawmakers to have it passed in parliament.

The ruling coalition government passed the contentious 26th constitutional amendment bill from both houses of parliament in October 2024, amid stiff resistance from opposition parties and the legal fraternity. Both argued the government’s move was an attempt to curtail the independence of the judiciary, a charge it denies. 

The amendments empower a parliamentary committee to appoint the Supreme Court’s chief justice for a fixed term of three years. It also called for the creation of new group of senior judges to weigh exclusively on constitutional issues. 

The government secured 225 votes of the required 224 in the National Assembly, or the lower house of parliament, with the help of a handful of rebel lawmakers from the PTI. The party has claimed that the government harassed and intimidated opposition lawmakers and their families to secure the votes. The government denies the allegations vehemently. 

“Legal team representing Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf has challenged the 26th amendment in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, requesting to declare its status null & void along with constitutional benches formation & decisions by the judicial bench,” a statement from the party said. 

The PTI alleged that lawmakers were harassed and abducted to ensure the amendments were passed. 

“The 26th amendment was opposed by the party at many levels that publicly criticized the process of pushing through the 26th amendment, with individuals being coerced into voting and genuine consent was not involved,” the PTI added. 

As per a summary of the petition filed in the Supreme Court, the party has maintained that the 26th amendment introduces “unprecedented and substantial” changes to the fundamental structure and salient features of the constitution. 

The development takes place a day after Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairman of the government’s key coalition partner Pakistan Peoples Party, said only parliament has the power to roll back the 26th constitutional amendment. 

“As far as rolling back the 26th [constitutional] amendment is concerned, that power only rests with this institution,” Bhutto Zardari told reporters at the National Assembly, referring to the lower house of parliament. 

“Neither will we accept nor will the nation nor anyone else if the constitution is rolled back or undermined by another institution.”

TENSIONS WITH THE TOP COURT

The amendment fixing the top justice’s retirement age was passed days before Qazi Faez Isa, the then chief justice, was due to retire. 

Khan’s PTI frequently accused Isa of being aligned with the government, its chief rival, an allegation the government has always rejected. Khan’s party repeatedly said the amendments were aimed at granting an extension in tenure to Isa.

Under the previous law, Isa would have been automatically replaced by the most senior judge behind him, currently Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who consistently issued verdicts deemed favorable to Khan and the PTI.

Sharif’s government has said the bill ensures parliament will not remain “a rubber stamp” one in the wake of its tensions with the judiciary, which were on the rise since the February national election of last year.

Topics: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Supreme Court of Pakistan 26th Constitutional Amendment

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