KARACHI: Pakistan’s polio program has said that it will launch an anti-polio vaccination drive from Dec. 16 till Dec. 22 as the nationwide tally of polio cases reached 63 this year.
Polio is a paralyzing disease that has no cure. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five is essential to provide children high immunity against this terrible disease.
Pakistan is responding to an intense resurgence of Wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) this year, with 63 cases reported so far. Of these, 26 are from Balochistan, 18 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 17 from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
“A large-scale polio vaccination campaign is being held in the country from December 16 to December 22 during which vaccinators will go house to house to immunize more than 44 million children under five in 143 districts against polio,” the Pakistan polio program said on Friday.
“To keep children safe, it is critical for parents to welcome vaccinators among them and bring their children forward for vaccination.”
On Saturday, the health department in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province said the upcoming vaccination drive in the province would target 10.6 million children under the age of five years to protect them from the debilitating poliovirus.
“Over 80,000 frontline workers will participate in the campaign, going door-to-door to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated,” it said in a statement. “To provide a secure environment for these efforts, 15,000 security personnel will be deployed across Sindh.”
The health department noted that the province had reported 17 cases of the virus this year, which highlighted the urgent need for effective vaccination campaigns.
“The situation remains critical, with most environmental samples testing positive for the virus, indicating ongoing circulation,” it said.
“This is the last campaign of the year, making it imperative that every child is vaccinated to stop the transmission of the virus and protect them from a lifetime of disability.”
For those who miss the vaccination during the campaign, the Emergency Operations Center’s Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline 1166 or WhatsApp Helpline 0346-7776546 would be available to provide assistance and information, the health department added.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the last two countries in the world where the poliovirus remains endemic. Public health studies in Pakistan have shown that a lack of knowledge about vaccines, together with poverty and rural residency, are also factors that commonly influence whether parents vaccinate their children against polio.
Pakistan to launch anti-polio drive on Dec. 16 as national tally hits 63 this year
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Pakistan to launch anti-polio drive on Dec. 16 as national tally hits 63 this year
- Pakistan and Afghanistan are only two countries in world where poliovirus remains endemic
- The upcoming vaccination drive will target 44 million children across 143 districts nationwide
Asian Development Bank approves $330 million loan for social protection in Pakistan
- This financing will support objectives of inclusive growth, poverty reduction, skills development and health care access
- The ADB has committed over $52 billion to Pakistan, one of its founding members, since 1966 in public, private sector loans
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has signed a loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Integrated Social Protection Development Program (ISPDP) additional financing amounting to $330 million, the government said on Saturday.
The ISPDP builds on the ongoing ADB-funded program for strengthening and expanding social protection systems in Pakistan through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), according to the Pakistani government’s Press Information Department (PID).
In Pakistan, the federal government disburses billions of rupees annually to the underprivileged and vulnerable people through the BISP. The agreement was signed by Secretary Economic Affairs Dr. Kazim Niaz and ADB Country Director Emma Fan from respective sides.
“In his remarks, the Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs highlighted the importance of this additional financing from concessional lending for enhancing institutional capacity and improving access to education and health care, particularly among women, adolescent girls, and children from low-income families,” the PID said in a statement.
The ADB country director reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s objectives in strengthening social safety nets.
“This additional financing will support in achieving the program objectives of achieving inclusive growth, poverty reduction skills development and health care access for vulnerable populations,” Fan was quoted as saying.
The regional development bank has committed over $52 billion to Pakistan, one of its founding members, since 1966 in public and private sector loans, grants, and other forms of financing to promote inclusive economic growth in the country.
Last month, Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $500 million loan agreement under the ‘Climate and Disaster Resilience Enhancement Program,’ according to Pakistani state media.
The program is aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s capacity for climate change adaptation and disaster risk management and will address the country’s vulnerabilities to natural disasters and climate impacts.
Islamabad and Ankara agree to strengthen media cooperation, battle Islamophobia
- Pakistan’s information minister meets Turkiye’s head of communications in Istanbul
- Minister says such measures would bolster public-level connections between both states
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye on Saturday agreed to strengthen media cooperation through joint broadcasts between their state-run television channels, and ways to combat Islamophobia and misinformation, Radio Pakistan reported.
The development took place during a meeting between Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Turkiye’s Head of Communications Professor Fahrettin Altun at the Turkish Presidency.
Tarar arrived in Turkiye on Dec. 13 for a three-day visit to the country where he is scheduled to take part in the Stratcom Summit 2024 in Istanbul.
During his meeting with Altun, Tarar discussed strengthening media cooperation, promoting public diplomacy and combating Islamophobia and misinformation by the two countries.
“The two sides agreed to joint broadcasts between PTV and Turkiye’s state-run television TRT, including airing popular Turkish dramas in Pakistan,” Radio Pakistan said in a report.
Turkish dramas are highly popular in Pakistan, especially historical and period dramas, for their cultural similarities and high-quality production. “Diriliş: Ertuğrul” remains one of the most popular Turkish dramas to have aired in Pakistan, amassing a huge following over the years.
The report said an agreement was also reached between the two to form a working group between Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Turkiye’s Directorate of Communications, with focal persons designated from both sides.
Tarar highlighted the vast potential for media cooperation between the two countries, noting that such collaborations would help strengthen public-level connections.
“The meeting also covered cooperation in the fields of entertainment and tourism, as well as the development of joint projects,” it added.
Altun acknowledged that the Turkish drama “Ertugrul” gained significant popularity in Pakistan, Radio Pakistan said.
“He said media cooperation between the two countries would help in the fight against Islamophobia and misinformation,” the report said.
Karachi Shipyard to build Pakistan’s first major commercial ship in 40 years
- Pakistan’s premier investment body SIFC revives 1100 TEU Container Ship Project, says state broadcaster
- Project to feature collaboration among navy, Karachi shipyard and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s premier investment body has revived a shipbuilding project through which the Karachi Shipyard will build the country’s first major commercial ship in four decades, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday.
The 1100 TEU Container Ship Project, which had been on hold for nine months, has been revived by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a hybrid civil-military government body formed in 2023 to facilitate foreign investment in Pakistan’s key economic sectors.
The cargo shipbuilding project will feature collaboration between the Pakistan Navy, Karachi shipyard, and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, the state media said.
“Under this project, Karachi Shipyard will locally construct its first major commercial cargo ship after forty years,” Radio Pakistan said.
It said the 24.75-million-dollar contract provides an opportunity for Pakistan to build ships at a cost lower than international market rates.
“This is a key step toward reducing dependence on foreign shipping companies and promoting Pakistan’s economic self-sufficiency,” the state media said.
Pakistan has sought to reduce its dependency on bailout programs and aid from allies in recent years. The South Asian country has said it aims for export-oriented growth and wants to reduce its imports to save valuable foreign exchange amid a macroeconomic crisis.
After Wasim, Pakistan cricketer Amir retires from international cricket
- Amir came out of retirement in April after nearly four years to participate in T20 World Cup 2024
- Amir, 32, has played 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is for Pakistan since his international debut in 2009
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir has announced his retirement from international cricket, a day after all-rounder Imad Wasim did the same, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday.
Left-arm pacer Amir, 32, returned to international cricket after nearly four years in April this year for the T20 World Cup. He has featured in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is for Pakistan since making his international debut in June 2009.
Amir has also taken 271 international wickets and scored 1,179 runs across the three formats. His retirement announcement follows a day after Wasim publicly said he was retiring from international cricket after putting much thought and reflection into the matter.
“All-rounder Imad Wasim and left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir have announced their retirements from international cricket,” the PCB said. “Both players last featured for Pakistan in this year’s ICC T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies.”
The PCB said Amir and Wasim have both been “key members of the Pakistan men’s cricket team” over the years and also represented the Pakistan U-19 team.
Amir was also part of the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup winning squad, and with Wasim, both were an integral part of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy winning squad.
“It has been a great honor to play for Pakistan across all three formats,” Amir said. “I know this is a difficult decision, but I feel this is the right time for the next generation to take the baton and elevate Pakistan cricket to new heights.”
The Pakistani pacer thanked the PCB for extending “much-needed support” over the years and the Pakistani fans.
After rising as one of the most promising talents in international cricket in 2009, Amir was one of three Pakistan players banned from cricket for five years for spot-fixing during a Test match in England after being caught in a newspaper sting.
He was later jailed in the UK for six months.
He returned to the squad years later and proved instrumental in helping Pakistan win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England.
Pakistan launches scholarships for 300 Bangladeshi students amid push to forge closer ties
- Pakistan, Bangladesh have sought to improve bilateral ties since former PM Hasina’s ouster
- Fully funded scholarship program supported by NUST, Comsats and LUMS, says state media
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government this week launched a new program through which it will provide fully funded scholarships to 300 Bangladeshi students, state-run media reported, as Islamabad establishes closer ties with Dhaka under a new Bangladeshi administration.
The scholarship program is backed by Pakistan’s education ministry and supported by leading universities such as NUST, Comsats, and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), the Pakistan Television News reported.
“During a recent meeting, officials urged universities to promote the program in Bangladesh through events and an online portal,” PTV News said on Friday.
“The scholarships seek to enhance educational exchanges and cultural connections between the two countries.”
Established together as one independent nation in 1947, Bangladesh won liberation from then-West Pakistan in 1971. Relations between the two countries continued to deteriorate during former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration, which prosecuted several members of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party for war crimes relating to the 1971 conflict.
However, relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have improved since Hasina was ousted in a bloody student-led protest in August. Islamabad’s ties with Dhaka have also improved as Bangladesh’s relations with India, where Hasina has sought refuge, have deteriorated.
Pakistan’s foreign office said in September that Islamabad sought “robust, multifaceted, friendly relations” with Bangladesh to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Sharif met Dr. Yunus in New York in September at a ceremony hosted by the Bangladeshi leader to mark the completion of 50 years of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations.
Both sides agreed to forge stronger ties and enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields during their meeting.
