ISLAMABAD: Pakistan witnessed an inflow of $30.3 billion in remittances in the last fiscal year, the country’s central bank announced on Tuesday, marking a 10.7 percent increase compared to $27.3 billion in the previous financial year, much of which was sourced from the Middle East.
Workers’ remittances form a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy, significantly contributing to the country’s foreign exchange reserves and reducing the current account deficit.
The government has actively promoted the employment of Pakistanis abroad, especially in the Middle East, to ensure a steady increase in them, which are deemed crucial for the economic growth of the country.
“Workers’ remittances recorded an inflow of $3.2 billion during June 2024,” the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said while sharing the data for the previous month that marked the end of the last fiscal year. “In terms of growth, during June 2024, remittances increased by 44.4 percent on [year-on-year] basis.”
“Cumulatively, with inflow of $30.3 billion workers’ remittances increased by 10.7 percent during FY24 compared to inflow of $ 27.3 billion recorded in FY23,” it added.
The SBP said the remittance inflows last month were mainly sourced from Saudi Arabia ($808.6 million), the United Arab Emirates ($654.3 million), the United Kingdom ($487.4 million) and the United States ($322.1 million).
Pakistan records 10.7 percent surge in remittances during last fiscal year, much of it from Mideast
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Pakistan records 10.7 percent surge in remittances during last fiscal year, much of it from Mideast
- The central bank says cumulative remittance inflow went up to $30.3 billion in the country
- Government has promoted employment of Pakistanis abroad, especially in the Gulf states
Government plans ‘coordinated operation’ against criminals in central Pakistan after 12 policemen killed
- Criminal gangs based in Punjab’s riverine areas fired a rocket launcher at a police van which had broken down
- Pakistan’s interior minister says the government ‘will not rest until we avenge the blood of our brave sons’
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government on Friday decided to launch a coordinated operation against criminal gangs that have operated for decades in the riverine border areas of Punjab and Sindh provinces, following a rocket launcher attack by them on a police vehicle a day earlier that killed 12 law enforcement personnel.
The criminal gangs have benefited from the rugged terrain and dense forests of the region, known as the Kacha area, turning it into their stronghold and using it for armed robberies, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.
Over the years, the region has seen numerous law enforcement operations aimed at curbing the activities of these groups, but the challenging terrain has made these efforts difficult.
The criminal gangs are also known to be well-armed and sometimes have local support, further complicating efforts to fully eradicate them.
“A very tragic incident occurred, and our 12 brave policemen embraced martyrdom,” Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi said during a high-level meeting at the Rahim Yar Khan Airport where he was briefed about the incident.
“We will deal with the miscreants with an iron hand and go to the last extent to avenge the attackers,” he continued. “We will not rest until we avenge the blood of our brave sons.”
According to a statement circulated by the interior ministry, Naqvi ordered an “effective and coordinated operation” against the criminal gangs while interacting with Rangers and senior police officials.
He emphasized the need for safety measures concerning the operational forces in the region.
He also directed that the forces participating in the operation be equipped with modern weapons and safety gear.
The attack on the police vehicle took place while they were traveling through Rahim Yar Khan district in Punjab and their van broke down due to low-level flooding.
A police statement on Friday morning said the main culprit behind the deadly attack was killed in an overnight operation.
Congo virus case reported in southwest Pakistan amid high alert for mpox outbreak
- Balochistan has reported 23 cases of Congo fever this year, with five deaths attributed to the disease
- Medical practitioners say most Congo cases are diagnosed in the province during the summer season
QUETTA: Officials in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province confirmed a case of Congo virus on Friday, with health authorities across the country already on alert amid an ongoing mpox outbreak in various parts of the world.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the fatality rate for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), commonly known as the Congo virus, ranges from 10 percent to 40 percent.
This implies that out of every 100 infected people, between 10 and 40 may succumb to the illness, depending on factors such as the quality of health care, the timeliness of treatment and the patient’s overall health condition.
The disease is primarily transmitted through tick bites or contact with infected animal blood or tissues, with the virus being endemic in parts of Africa, Europe and Asia.
A senior doctor at Quetta’s Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital told Arab News that a 14-year-old boy, Siraj Ahmed, from Khanozai, 77 kilometers from Quetta, has tested positive for the virus.
“The infected patient is being treated in the Congo isolation ward, but we have another suspected Congo patient whose report is yet to be confirmed,” Dr. Zubair Mandokhail, deputy medical superintendent at the facility, said.
Balochistan has reported 23 cases of Congo fever this year, with five deaths attributed to the disease since January.
Most Congo cases are diagnosed in the province during the summer season, according to local medical practitioners.
The likelihood of its spread increases around Eid Al-Adha, an Islamic festival celebrated after the annual Hajj pilgrimage when people buy and slaughter animals in large numbers.
Many Afghan patients infected by the virus also travel to Quetta for better treatment and medical care.
Dr. Ali Ahmed Reki, the medical superintendent at Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital, said doctors had handled nearly 45 suspected Congo cases this year, of which 23 had tested positive.
“We have been receiving suspected patients in routine but the number of cases rises during Eid Al-Adha when a majority people visit cattle markets to buy sacrificial animals,” he told Arab News.
Pakistan PM offers assistance to Bangladesh as monsoon floods displace millions
- Shehbaz Sharif expresses solidarity in a letter to the head of Bangladesh’s interim setup, Dr. Muhammad Yunus
- He says Bangladeshis are known for their resilience, expressing confidence they will overcome this adversity
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday wrote a letter to the head of Bangladesh’s interim administration, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, offering assistance amid monsoon floods that have affected millions of people.
With a population of 170 million, Bangladesh is crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers and is known to be prone to flooding. However, climate change has altered environmental patterns in the region, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events.
Sharif expressed deep sorrow and grief in his letter to the Bangladeshi leader, saying the entire Pakistani nation stood in solidarity with the Bangladeshi government and its people.
“The people of Bangladesh are known for their resilience in the face of calamities,” the Pakistani PM said in his letter. “I am confident that they will overcome this adversity under your able leadership.”
“Pakistan remains ready to offer any assistance that may be required,” he continued.
The prime minister said the Bangladeshi people who had lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones were in the thoughts and prayers of the Pakistani nation.
The floods come less than three weeks after the ouster of ex-premier Sheikh Hasina, who was forced to flee by helicopter to India, her government’s biggest political patron, during a student-led uprising.
Hasina’s 15-year rule saw widespread human rights abuses, including the mass detention and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents.
She was replaced by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who is heading an interim government facing the monumental task of charting democratic reforms ahead of expected new elections.
Pakistan itself has remained vulnerable to extreme weather events in recent years, losing about 1,700 lives during the monsoon two years ago, with infrastructure damage estimated at over $35 billion.
This year, heavy rainfall starting in July has already caused flash floods in various regions, with more downpours predicted in the coming weeks.
With input from AFP
Pakistani authorities seal medical lab testing workers bound for Gulf states after inspection
- Health officials find ‘discrepancies’ in the medical tests of workers planning to abroad at a Peshawar lab
- The authorities in KP have also filed a corruption case against the management of the medical facility
ISLAMABAD: A medical lab in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has been sealed by health authorities, according to state-owned media on Friday, following surprise inspections of various facilities approved by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for the medical tests of workers aspiring to take up jobs in the region.
The GCC states play a crucial role in Pakistan’s cash-strapped economy by employing a significant number of workers who remit billions of dollars back to their homeland each year.
As part of the employment process, these workers are required to undergo medical examinations at dedicated labs approved by GCC authorities.
The KP health officials sealed the facility in Peshawar, saying they found “discrepancies” in the medical tests of workers planning to go abroad.
“During the inspection, the team reviewed laboratory facilities, verified records and checked staff credentials,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in its report.
“Discrepancies were discovered in the lab results at the Medical Diagnostic Center, leading to its immediate closure,” it added.
APP also informed that a corruption case was subsequently referred to the provincial health care commission for investigation and legal action.
A significant number of Pakistani laborers, including drivers and construction workers, travel to the GCC region from Peshawar and its adjoining areas.
Pakistan has been trying to convince Gulf states to employ more of its workers as these countries work to diversify their economies and create new employment opportunities.
Shadman anchors Bangladesh’s good show in first Pakistan Test
- Pakistan employed all four pacers but were missing the services of a frontline spinner
- Bangladesh trail Pakistan’s total of 448-6 declared by 132 runs with five wickets in hand
RAWALPINDI: Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam missed a fighting hundred by just seven runs but still guided Bangladesh to an impressive 316-5 at close on day three of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Friday.
The left-hander scored a patient 183-ball 93 to keep the visitors’ chances of fighting out for a draw or pulling off a first-ever win over Pakistan in 14th Test match between the two oppositions.
At close, veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim was 55 not out while Litton Das was 52 not out to further Bangladesh’s progress, having added a solid 98 runs for the unfinished sixth wicket stand.
Bangladesh trail Pakistan’s total of 448-6 declared by 132 runs with five wickets in hand as Rawalpindi stadium pitch proved unresponsive to bowlers — nearly quashing Pakistan’s hopes of a big lead.
Rahim hit Shaheen Shah Afridi for his seventh boundary to reach his 28th Test half-century. Das also completed fifty with three boundaries and a six in one Naseem Shah’s over after Pakistan took the second new ball.
But Bangladesh’s resistance was led by Shadman.
The 29-year-old left-hander was defiant and approaching his second hundred just before tea but was bowled by a sharp delivery from Pakistan pacer Mohammad Ali in the last over before tea.
Pakistan also dismissed Shakib Al Hasan for 15 as the ace all-rounder played a loose shot against Saim Ayub as the part-time spinner got a maiden wicket in his first-ever Test over.
Pacer Khurram Shahzad was the pick of bowlers with 2-47 while Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali and Ayub had a wicket each. Spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi failed to get one in 18 overs.
Earlier, it was Shadman who added 52 runs for the fourth wicket with Rahim following his stubborn 94-run stand with Mominul Haque (50) in an earlier wicket stand.
Shadman hit 12 boundaries in his fighting five-hour 29-minute stay at the crease.
Haque was the only batter dismissed in the post-lunch session when he missed a delivery from Shahzad and was bowled. He hit five boundaries in his 76-ball innings.
It was Shadman who anchored his team’s fight as Pakistan’s pace attack looked less effective on a Rawalpindi stadium pitch that has slowed down considerably.
The Shadman-Haque stand led the recovery after Pakistan removed Zakir Hasan (12) and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (16) in the extended three-hour session due to Friday prayers.
Pakistan employed all four pacers but were missing the services of a frontline spinner.
Part-time slow bowler Agha Salman had Shadman leg-before wicket on 57 but the decision was overturned on review.
Resuming at 27-0, Bangladesh lost Zakir to a smart catch by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, diving to his left to take a one-handed catch in Shah’s fifth over of the day.
Shanto looked good during his short knock but was bowled between bat and pad by Shahzad, leaving the visitors on 53-2.
The second and final Test will also be played in Rawalpindi from August 30 — the series part of the nine-team World Test Championship’s third cycle (2023-2025).
