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Author: News Desk

  • Punjab govt approves Rs2.07 trillion budget for four months

    Punjab govt approves Rs2.07 trillion budget for four months

    In a significant development, the Caretaker Punjab Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, convened for its 31st session at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Monday.  

    During this session, the Cabinet approved a surplus budget of Rs2.07 trillion for the upcoming four months, with a substantial allocation of Rs351 billion dedicated to development projects. 

    It is worth noting that this budget represents a crucial step in the interim governance of the province, as the caretaker government lacks the authority to approve a full-year budget in the absence of an elected government.  

    This temporary budget is designed to ensure that essential ongoing expenses are accounted for, enabling the effective management of the province’s daily affairs. 

    Within this four-month budget, particular emphasis has been placed on directing resources towards critical sectors.  

    Notably, Rs208 billion has been earmarked for the healthcare sector, and Rs222 billion has been allocated for the education sector. An additional Rs10 billion has been allocated to promote the progress of the agricultural sector. 

    In addressing various challenges facing the province, the Cabinet has committed Rs1.80 billion to the National Health Support Programme and Rs5 billion to the Punjab Textbook Board. Moreover, an allocation of Rs7.30 billion has been designated to address climate change issues, reflecting the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability. 

    The Cabinet meeting also saw the finance secretary provide a comprehensive overview of the forthcoming four-month budget, highlighting the robust financial position and surplus resources of the Punjab government.  

    In a significant move, the Cabinet approved a minimum wage of Rs32,000 for workers, effective July 1, 2023, further promoting workers’ rights and economic well-being. 

    Furthermore, the meeting underscored the importance of anti-smog measures in various regions, including Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, and Kasur.  

    Chief Minister Naqvi urged strict enforcement of regulations on smoke-emitting vehicles and brick kilns by commissioners and deputy commissioners.  

    Stringent measures were also advised for ongoing construction projects, including the regular use of water sprinklers and a strict ban on crop residue burning, contributing to environmental preservation. 

    The Punjab Price Control for Essential Commodities Ordinance, 2023, received the Cabinet’s approval, reinforcing the government’s commitment to regulating essential commodity prices and ensuring consumer protection. 

  • Govt implements major gas price hike to tackle circular debt crisis 

    Govt implements major gas price hike to tackle circular debt crisis 

    On Monday night, the interim government made a significant announcement that will have a profound impact on the nation’s economy.  

    The decision involved a substantial increase in gas prices, set to take effect on November 1st, 2023. 

    Under this new pricing structure, non-protected domestic consumers will experience a substantial surge in their gas tariffs.  

    Specifically, rates will surge by a staggering 173 per cent for this category of consumers. Commercial users will see their gas prices climb by 136.4 per cent, while those in the export and non-export industries will face increases of 91 per cent and 83 per cent, respectively. 

    Further elaborating on the specifics of these changes, the revised monthly charges for protected consumers have been elevated from a mere Rs10 to a more substantial Rs400. For non-protected consumers, the monthly charges have surged from Rs460 to Rs1000, and for higher consumption slabs, the charges have escalated to a maximum of Rs2000. 

    In terms of actual consumption, the price per mmbtu will vary depending on usage. Users consuming up to 0.25 cubic metres will be charged Rs121 per mmbtu.  

    Those using up to 0.5 cubic metres will pay Rs150 per mmbtu; users with a monthly consumption of 0.60 cubic metres will incur charges of Rs200 per mmbtu; and those utilising 0.9 cubic metres will see rates set at Rs250 per mmbtu.  

    The steepest increase is witnessed by individuals using 1 cubic metre of gas per month, as their charges have surged from Rs400 per mmbtu to Rs1,000 per mmbtu. Users with gas consumption up to 1.5 cubic metres, previously paying Rs600 per mmbtu, will now be required to pay Rs1,200 per mmbtu starting from November 1st. 

    The changes in gas pricing also extend to small commercial users, such as local tandoors, who will be paying Rs697 per mmbtu from the aforementioned date.  

    The power sector will experience a range of charges, with rates fluctuating between Rs1,050 and Rs3,890 per mmbtu, while the cement industry will be subject to a consistent rate of Rs4,400 per mmbtu. 

    As for the export industry, gas pricing has been set at Rs2,100 to Rs2,400 per mmbtu, while non-export industries will be required to pay between Rs2,200 and Rs2,500 per mmbtu. These significant adjustments have been made to alleviate the burden on the nation’s economy. 

    The Power Division, in an official statement, justified the increase in gas prices by referencing the recommendations of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, which sought to prevent an additional burden of Rs400 billion on the already burgeoning circular debt.  

  • JDC Opens Free Dialysis Center in Sialkot

    JDC Opens Free Dialysis Center in Sialkot

    JDC has taken a commendable step by opening a Free Dialysis Center in Sialkot on 30th October, 2023. This dialysis center has been named after the renowned businessman Tanweer Ahmed’s  mother, Kalsoom Akhtar, as he is the sole financial donor for this project and provided JDC the necessary funds to open a dialysis center in Sialkot. This initiative is a lifeline for those in need as it offers free dialysis services, effectively alleviating the financial burden faced by patients.

    In strict adherence to international standards, the facility ensures patient safety by adopting one time use equipment policies, thereby maintaining the highest levels of hygiene. Used equipment is promptly and safely discarded, guaranteeing a clean and safe environment for all patients.

    Zafar Abbas, the General Secretary of JDC, set a visionary goal of establishing 50 dialysis centers across Pakistan, and his resolute dedication has seen this vision come to life. In a country with over 17 million kidney disease patients and limited resources, this initiative addresses a pressing healthcare issue. Dialysis treatment, which typically costs over $3000 per year per patient, is often financially out of reach for many, making the need for such centers even more vital.

    Recognizing the urgency of the situation and the growing number of patients in need, JDC has already launched free dialysis centers in various cities, including Karachi. These centers have become beacons of hope for individuals who were previously burdened by the high costs of treatment.

    JDC Welfare Organization, a non-governmental, non-profit entity. It is dedicated to serving humanity without bias. The organization’s primary mission is to alleviate human suffering and help people regain their normal lives.

    As JDC continues to expand its network of free dialysis centers, it remains devoted in its commitment to providing high-quality medical care, entirely free of charge. These centers represent a significant leap towards reducing human suffering and offering hope to kidney disease patients throughout Pakistan.

  • Chief selector Inzamam resigns from post

    Chief selector Inzamam resigns from post

    Inzamam-ul-Haq, the chief selector of the national cricket team, has resigned from his post on Monday after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was relentlessly criticised following a string of defeats at the World Cup.

    In his statement, Inzamam-ul-Haq said, “People talk without research. If questions are raised on me, I thought it better to resign and to be on the side.”

    Stating that PCB is available for inquiry, the former batting great said that he has asked PCB to investigate accusations against him.

    “I have no connection with the player’s agent company, I am saddened by such allegations.” He further said, “After everything is cleared, I will sit with the PCB. I felt that if there is an inquiry against me, I should resign from the post, we should wait for the results of the inquiry.”

    The former Chief Selector asked for a transparent investigation and an independent inquiry from PCB. “I am telling you very clearly that I have never had anything to do with the company in my life, I have neither the first signature nor the later signature, whoever is saying this is wrong.”

  • State Bank of Pakistan maintains 22% policy rate in line with market consensus

    State Bank of Pakistan maintains 22% policy rate in line with market consensus

    Following the consensus in the broader market, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced on Monday that it would maintain the key policy rate at 22 per cent, as stated in their press release.

    The Committee recognised that headline inflation, as expected, increased in September 2023 but anticipates a decline in October, followed by a sustained decrease, particularly in the latter half of the fiscal year.

    While the MPC acknowledged potential risks to the FY24 inflation outlook and the current account due to recent global oil price volatility and forthcoming gas tariff increases in November 2023, they also identified mitigating factors.

    These factors include targeted fiscal consolidation in the first quarter, enhanced availability of crucial commodities in the market, and the alignment of interbank and open market exchange rates.

    The MPC emphasised that the real policy rate, looking forward over a 12-month horizon, remains significantly positive.

    This is deemed appropriate to achieve the medium-term inflation target of 5-7 per cent by the end of FY25, contingent upon the sustained fiscal consolidation and timely realisation of planned external inflows, as articulated in the MPC statement.

  • We need to talk about depression and mental health…now

    We need to talk about depression and mental health…now

    The recent tragic incident involving the son of a prominent religious scholar, Maulana Tariq Jamil, has once again brought the discussion of mental health to the forefront.

    The heartbreaking revelation that Asim Jamil, son of Maulana Tariq Jamil, couldn’t survive due to severe depression and eventually took his own life, highlights the urgent need to address the often-neglected intersection between religion and mental health.

    According to the elder son of Maulana Tariq Jamil, Yousaf Jamil, Asim had been grappling with severe depression since childhood. Despite undergoing treatment, including Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), his mental illness only deepened in the last six months.

    As evidenced by Asim’s case, where even Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) proved ineffective, the necessity of professional medical intervention in severe cases of mental illness cannot be overstated.

    Despite the claims of certain public figures such as Resham, who said that depression “does not exist” and Feroz Khan, who while responding to a fan’s question regarding curing depression among 21-25 years old girls said: “Obey your men. Give them your responsibility and sit back and enjoy grapes. I’d do that if I was a woman. Be a queen,” it is important to recognise the limitations of this approach.

    It is pertinent to mention that the suicide rate in Pakistan has alarmingly crossed eight per cent (per 100,000 people), according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and this can significantly be associated with mental health problems.

    According to WHO, there are only 0.19 psychiatrists in Pakistan per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest numbers in the WHO-EMRO region as well as the entire world. The absence of trained mental health professionals in the country has created a major treatment gap, leaving more than 90 per cent with mental health issues untreated.

    Unfortunately, we, as a cultural collective, only end up making fun of people with mental health issues, sweep it under the carpet or pretend as if mental health is not an issue at all. We forget that globally, one in eight people have mental health conditions. We forget that being insensitive to mental health issues only increases the pain and agony of those who are facing these issues.

    In a country where we think a mentally troubled young man’s illness will be cured if he gets married, where we think talking about mental illness or seeking therapy or psychiatric treatment means you’re either not ‘man enough’, ‘weak’ or ‘mental’, we must raise awareness about mental health and how medical science can help resolve these issues.

    The unfortunate incident involving Asim Jamil highlights the urgency of destigmatising conversations surrounding mental health. It is imperative to foster an environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their struggles openly without fear of judgement or discrimination.

  • After Sonam, Bollywood star Bipasha Basu speaks out against Gaza genocide

    After Sonam, Bollywood star Bipasha Basu speaks out against Gaza genocide

    Bollywood star Bipasha Basu has lent her voice to the growing call of protestors demanding an end to the genocide in Gaza. Al-Jazeera reports that almost 8000 civilians have been killed due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, with more than 3000 children among them.

    The actress shared a picture showing two children crying next to their dead mother, surrounded by destroyed buildings. In the caption it was written: “No war or religion can be bigger than countless innocent lives.”

    These are babies..” begged Bipasha. “Irrespective of any religion have some mercy.”

    Sonam Kapoor sent her support to the Palestinians when she shared two pictures on her Instagram stories spreading awareness of the countless children who were butchered during the Israeli strikes. Sonam shared a post from a column written in The New York Times codenmning the one-sided coverage of major publications that ignored the trauma of Palestinian babies.

    READ MORE: Sonam Kapoor speaks out for Palestine, other prominent Bollywood celebrities silent

    Other Bollywood actors have remained majorly silent about the Gaza genocide. While a viral tweet from Shah Rukh Khan’s X (formerly Twitter) account from 2014 went viral where he condemned the murder of little children.

  • 3,324 children killed in Gaza since October 7: What we know about day 24

    3,324 children killed in Gaza since October 7: What we know about day 24

    Children in Gaza

    Save the Children has reported that more children have died in Gaza in the past three weeks than the annual total killed in conflicts across the globe every year since 2019.

    Their report, issued on Sunday, revealed that at least 3,324 children have been killed in Gaza since October 7 and 36 in the occupied West Bank.

    Reports from the UN Secretary-General on children and armed conflict have stated that a total of 2,985 children were killed in 24 countries in 2022; 2,515 in 2021, and 2,674 in 2020 across 22 countries.

    3,195 children killed in #Gaza in just three weeks has surpassed the annual number of children killed across the world’s conflict zones since 2019. We are calling for an immediate ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/vrEQ846tPB— Save the Children International (@save_children) October 29, 2023

    Israel’s ground operation in Gaza

    Al Jazeera has highlighted the news briefing of an Israeli army spokesperson which reveals that their army has proceeded with ground operation with additional forces and tanks, while infantry goes further into the Gaza Strip. Additionally, ground forces are supported by air raids.

    Dozens of alleged Hamas fighters have reportedly been killed overnight.

    This ground offensive is said to escalate with time.

    Large number of arrests in occupied West Bank:

    Israeli air raid targeted “several” alleged Hamas fighters in refugee camp in Jenin, arresting dozens belonging to armed groups.

    700 people, who are said to be Hamas fighters, have reportedly been arrested in the occupied territories since October 7.

    As of yet, a total of at least 1,070 suspects have been taken into custody.

    Al-Quds hospital in danger

    Al-Quds hospital in Gaza is currently under threat of an Israeli attack.

    According to Al Jazeera Arabic, medical staff and patients at al-Quds Hospital.

    While everyone is expected to evacuate the premises, the staff does not have a place to go to. They add that there are no available hospitals to transfer patients to, especially amid continuous Israeli attacks.

    Al-Quds hospital is sheltering 12,000 displaced Gazans and catering to hundreds of patients.

  • Caretaker government is in contact with all political parties, says Sarfraz Bugti

    As the general elections approach nearer, caretaker federal Interior Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, has stated that the interim government is in contact with all political parties, and there are “no favorites.”

    While talking in Shehzad Iqbal’s programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, the security Czar said that the caretaker government is also in contact with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), not just with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    “It is our [caretaker government’s] responsibility to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) [in the electoral process],” he mentioned while saying that the caretaker government just obeyed the directions given by electoral authorities regarding posting and transferring of officers and bureaucrats.

    “Whatever the ECP’s directions are, we will abide by it,” he added.

    ECP has directed the caretaker government to transfer Inspector General Police (IG) Islamabad.

    “The IG Islamabad is performing well […] It is my wish that he continues to work [as federal capital’s police chief],” the security czar said while emphasizing that federal government will follow ECP’s directives regarding IG’s transfer.

    The ECP announced on September 21 that general elections will be conducted in the last week of January 2024.

  • CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja satisfied with Punjab govt initiatives to hold elections

    CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja satisfied with Punjab govt initiatives to hold elections

    Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja is satisfied with the initiatives taken by the Punjab caretaker government to conduct polls in the province.

    The CEC gave the statement while discussing the upcoming general elections in today’s meeting with Punjab caretaker cabinet.

    The commission provided an extensive overview of the arrangements for the upcoming provincial elections.

    Provincial election commission members Nisar Ahmad Durrani, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Ikramullah Khan and Babar Hasan Bharwana also attended the meeting.

    During the huddle, the CEC stressed that general election will be held on time as well as the electoral body will fully support the interim government in conducting a free and fair election in the province.

    Raja has also mentioned that the process of delimitation will be finished by November 30, adding that ECP is ready to conduct free and fair elections in the country.

    The interim Chief Minister (CM), Mohsin Naqvi, said that caretaker government will fully support the electoral body for peaceful and transparent elections.

    “Fool-proof arrangements will be made to ensure the free conduct of elections in Punjab,” CM Naqvi said, adding that the interim government will follow the ECP.