ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hajj Mission is fully prepared to cope with any health emergency during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, a senior official told Pakistani state media on Sunday.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime if they are financially and physically able.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, of which around 70,000 people will perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest will use private tour operators.
PHM Director Jamil Ahmed Lakhair said a 400-member dedicated Pakistan Hajj Medical Mission (PHMM) is working around the clock to serve Pakistani pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The PHMM is fully equipped, prepared and competent enough to tackle any medical emergency situation, if it arises, in a highly professional manner,” Lakhair was quoted as saying in the report.
“The medical mission includes almost all types of medical specialists, including cardiologists, chest specialists, physiologists, pulmonologists, pathologists, radiologists, and dermatologists. They are available round the clock to serve the pilgrims.”
Pakistan has established two hospitals and 11 dispensaries in the Saudi cities of Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah to provide health care to Hajj pilgrims, according to the official.
Around 1,300 patients on an average are visiting the PHMM health facilities, where free treatment and medicines are provided to them.
Imran Ahmad, a Pakistani pilgrim from Lahore, said the facilities available in the Kingdom are “very good and the pilgrims do not feel like they are outside of their homes,” Radio Pakistan reported.
Lakhair appealed the pilgrims to take all possible precautionary measures against heatstroke, following a severe heat warning issued by the Saudi National Center for Meteorology. He suggested the pilgrims should use face masks and umbrellas, avoid sun exposure, and drink plenty of water, preferably Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), to maintain their health.
Since Pakistan began its pre-Hajj flight operation, more than 62,148 Pakistani pilgrims have arrived in the Kingdom under both government and private schemes, according to the Pakistani religion ministry.
Around 390 assistants, including Pakistani civil and uniformed officers, are working for travel and accommodation facilities of the pilgrims as well as providing food, while over 150 officers of the ministry are facilitating pilgrims at the Main Control Office, Madinah and Jeddah Airports, Lost and Found Department, Madinah Departure Cell, Monitoring Cell, and Accounts and Administration Departments.
This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14 till June 19. Pakistan’s pre-Hajj flight operation, which began on May 9, will continue until June 9.
Pakistan Hajj Mission fully prepared to cope with any health emergency — official
https://arab.news/gnt53
Pakistan Hajj Mission fully prepared to cope with any health emergency — official
- Pakistan has Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, of which around 70,000 will perform pilgrimage under government scheme
- Official says a 400-member dedicated Pakistan Hajj Medical Mission is working around the clock to serve Pakistani pilgrims
Two soldiers, six suspected militants killed in Indian-administered Kashmir— police
- Separate gunbattles are latest incidents in an uptick of attacks in disputed territory
- India and Pakistan both claim Kashmir in full, have fought three wars for its control
NEW DELHI, India: Two soldiers and six suspected militants were killed in two separate gunbattles in Indian-administered Kashmir, police said Sunday.
Kashmir police Inspector General Vidhi Kumar Birdi told AFP that authorities in the disputed territory had “carried out two different operations” in villages in the Kulgam district.
Birdi said two members of the security forces had been killed, with clashes continuing in Modergram and Frisal Chinnigam villages.
“We have retrieved the bodies of two terrorists from Modergram, and four others from Frisal Chinnigam,” said Birdi.
This is the latest incident in an uptick of attacks in the disputed territory.
India and Pakistan both claim Muslim-majority Kashmir in full and have fought three wars for control of the Himalayan region.
Rebel groups have waged an insurgency since 1989, demanding independence for the territory or its merger with Pakistan.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands of civilians, soldiers and rebels.
In June, nine Indian Hindu pilgrims were killed and dozens wounded when a gunman opened fire on a bus carrying them from a shrine in the southern Reasi area.
It was one of the deadliest attacks in years and the first on Hindu pilgrims in Kashmir since 2017, when gunmen killed seven people in another ambush on a bus.
Competition commission approves Saudi group Asyad’s acquisition of Shell Pakistan
- Shell’s parent company announced exit from Pakistan last year after selling 77.42 percent of shares to Asyad’s affiliate Wafi Energy
- Competition Commission of Pakistan chairman says acquisition to elevate service standards in country’s retail fuel supply chain
ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Saturday approved Saudi Group Asyad Holding’s acquisition of Shell Pakistan through UAE-based Wafi Energy Holding Limited, saying the move would boost the country’s retail oil sector.
Shell Petroleum Company announced its exit from Pakistan in June 2023 with the sale of 77.42 percent shareholding in the local business to Wafi Energy. The move came after Shell made several announcements about its global operations and after Shell Pakistan suffered losses in 2022 due to exchange rates, the devaluation of the Pakistani rupee, and overdue receivables.
Wafi Energy is a wholly-owned affiliate of Asyad Holding Group, a fuel retailer in Saudi Arabia. Shell Pakistan’s operations include more than 600 mobility sites, 10 fuel terminals, a lubricant oil blending plant and a 26 percent shareholding in Pak-Arab Pipeline Company Limited.
“The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition under Section 11 of the Competition Act, 2010, thus solidifying the said transaction to boost the retail oil sector in Pakistan,” the CCP said in a press release.
The CCP said Shell Pakistan maintains a “substantial business footprint” in the retail supply of motor fuels and lubricants across Pakistan. It also noted that Wafi Energy specializes in managing and operating fuel stations in Saudi Arabia.
The commission said its first assessment phase identified retail fuel, vehicle lubricants and industrial lubricants as the relevant product markets.
“It was also revealed that Shell Pakistan has distinct shares in all three relevant markets but that will remain unchanged post-transaction,” the CCP said.
“The analysis further confirmed that Wafi Energy Holding Limited will not gain a dominant position in the relevant markets even after attaining the direct control of Shell Pakistan.”
While signing the order, CCP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said the move is expected to boost competition by elevating service standards in the retail fuel supply chain and contribute immensely to flourishing Pakistani markets.
Pakistan’s upcoming IMF bailout will ‘not be our last’ if tax revenues don’t rise— finmin
- Finance Minister Aurangzeb last month passed tax-heavy budget, earning the ire of opposition and government’s allies
- Pakistan is in talks with International Monetary Fund for fresh bailout program that it hopes will be between $6-8 billion
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will keep seeking financial assistance packages from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if it does not significantly boost its tax revenues, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Monday.
Aurangzeb’s comments come days after Pakistan’s president signed the federal budget for the current fiscal year, which has been criticized by the opposition, trade bodies and even the government’s allies, for its ambitious tax targets.
The tax-heavy budget aims to raise Rs13 trillion ($46.6bn) by July 2025, a roughly 40 percent increase from the current financial year. Financial experts say the budget is aimed at satisfying the IMF, which has repeatedly asked Islamabad to bring tax reforms to ensure growth in its fragile economy.
Speaking to British newspaper Financial Times, Aurangzeb said he was “relatively confident” of reaching a staff-level agreement with the IMF this month for a loan his government has estimated to be between $6-$8bn.
“But it will not be our last fund program if we don’t bring our tax revenues up,” the minister said.
Pakistan hopes the IMF bailout package will stabilize its economy, one of the worst-performing ones in Asia, that has been troubled by double-digit inflation, slow growth and low foreign reserves.
Pakistan’s economic indicators have recorded an improvement over the past few months, with inflation dropping down to 12.6 percent in June from the record-breaking 38 percent in May 2023. Pakistan’s stock market has registered high growth in recent weeks while the central bank’s foreign reserves have risen to over $9 billion.
“The direction of travel is positive, and investors are showing confidence in the stock market,” Aurangzeb said.
However, he acknowledged Pakistan’s tax collection authority, the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR), was viewed negatively by the masses.
“People don’t want to deal with the tax authority because of corruption, because of harassment, because of people asking for speed money, facilitation money,” Aurangzeb noted. “That’s not sustainable.”
The finance minister lamented how Pakistan’s economy was reliant on imports, stating that Islamabad had to borrow to pay off existing or accumulating debt.
“We need to create the capacity to repay loans,” Aurangzeb said. “As long as this economy stays import-based, what happens is the moment it heats up . . . we run out of dollars [and] we have to go back to the lender of last resort on our knees.”
Since April, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has visited Saudi Arabia, UAE and China to attract foreign investment in Pakistan’s key sectors. His government has repeatedly assured Pakistan’s allies it seeks not loans but “mutually beneficial” partnerships.
“It’s about time we get real,” Aurangzeb said, pointing to Gulf investors’ demands for equity and board seats. “The ball is in our court to provide bankable, investable projects.”
Pakistan thrash India by 68 runs in World Championship of Legends tournament
- Half-centuries by Sharjeel Khan, Kamran Akmal inspire Pakistan to 68-run win over India
- World Championship of Legends is a T20 cricket tournament that features retired cricketers
ISLAMABAD: Inspired by quickfire half-centuries from Kamran Akmal and Sharjeel Khan, Pakistan Champions defeated arch-rivals India by 68 runs in the World Championship of Legends cricket tournament at Edgbaston on Saturday.
The World Championship of Legends tournament features retired cricketers taking part in a T20 cricket tournament. This year’s edition features teams from Pakistan, India, England, Australia, West Indies and South Africa.
Pakistan batted first in the clash between the two sides at Edgbaston, scoring an impressive 243/4 at the end of their 20 overs. India were able to score only 175/9 from their 20 overs, falling 68 runs short of the target.
“People are happy so we are happy at the end of the day,” Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi told reporters after the match.
When asked about Pakistan’s mammoth total, Afridi remarked:
“We thought about breaking all records today.”
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Akmal scored 77 runs from 40 balls while left-handed batter Sharjeel Khan scored 72 runs from 30 balls. Middle-order batter Sohaib Maqsood scored 51 from 26 balls while Shoaib Maik pitched in with an impressive 25-run score from 18 balls.
India’s bowlers RP Singh, Anureet Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni and Pawan Negi took one wicket each.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Malik returned figures of 3/22 and 3/38 from their overs while pacers Sohail Tanvir and Sohail Khan grabbed one wicket each.
Suresh Raina top-scored from India with 52 runs from 40 balls while opening batter Ambati Rayudu scored 39 runs from 23 balls.
With the latest win, Pakistan remain at the top of the table with three victories while Australia remain at number 2 and India at number three with two wins each and a loss.
South Africa sit at the bottom of the table with two losses and the lowest run-rate of -5.296.
Squads:
Pakistan: Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan (c), Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Shoaib Malik, Sharjeel Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Aamer Yamin, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanveer, Sohail Khan, Tanveer Ahmed
India: Robin Uthappa, Naman Ojha(w), Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh(c), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Vinay Kumar, HarbHajjan Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rahul Shukla, RP Singh, Saurabh Tiwary, Anureet Singh, Rahul Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Pawan Negi
Pakistan to observe first of Muharram on Monday, Ashura on July 17
- Pakistan to observe first of Muharram from Monday, says central moon-sighting committee
- Muharram marks beginning of new Islamic year, religious processions by Shia Muslims in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central moon sighting committee this week confirmed that it had not sighted the crescent for Muharram, adding that the country would observe the first of the Islamic month from Monday and Ashura on July 17.
Muharram marks the beginning of the new year in the Islamic lunar calendar during which Shia Muslims across Pakistan hold gatherings and organize processions to pay homage to Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Hundreds of thousands take out processions across the country on Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, to mourn Hussain’s martyrdom in Karbala in present-day Iraq centuries ago.
Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) met in Pakistan’s southwestern Quetta city on Saturday evening to spot the Muharram crescent.
“The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee has announced that the Crescent of Muharram-Ul-Haram 1446 AH was not sighted,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.
“He [RHC chairman] said that the 1st Muharram-Ul-Haram will be on Monday and Ashura will be observed on 17th of this month.”
INTERNET SERVICES
Pakistan’s interior ministry said on Friday it had not yet decided whether it would suspend Internet services during the Islamic month.
Militant groups have often targeted Muharram processions and imambargahs, killing hundreds of people in the past, but the Pakistani interior ministry said it had neither accepted nor rejected any request in this regard.
Pakistan’s largest Punjab province has also proposed a ban on all social media platforms from Muharram 6-11 due to security concerns, provincial information minister Azma Bukhari said on Friday.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok will be suspended across Punjab to control hate material/misinformation, the provincial government said.
