Day: May 3, 2024

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr. Hanan Balkhy met Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore today. She felicitated Maryam Nawaz on becoming Punjab' first ever woman Chief Minister. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said every possible cooperation will be extended to WHO to prevent diseases and provide medical care as progress of the healthcare sector is our top priority. She said that thirty-two field hospitals have been made functional for rural public. She said that the target of setting up a state of the art hospital in every district will be fulfilled during next five years. Dr Hanan Balkhy assured to provide assistance for healthcare facilities in emergencies of natural calamities. Source: Radio Pakistan

FC Balochistan is continuing with its efforts for provision of better health, education and housing facilities to people of Balochistan. FC Balochistan (South) organized more than 20 free medical camps to provide medical facilities in remote areas of Kech, Dasht, Hoshab, Panjgur, Kharan, Dalbandin and Nokundi. More than seven thousand people were provided free medicines, treatment and lab tests at these camps. Regarding education, FC Balochistan established a special school for chidden with disabilities in Kharan and a girls' school in Hoshab. Many school buildings were also repaired while bags, books and furniture were provided in schools in Hoshab and Kharan areas. The FC Balochistan (South) also provided housing facility to poor widows and needy people and has completed construction of five houses in Hoshab area in this regard. The FC is also providing free ration to thousands of deserving and needy families in different areas while water filtration plants have also been installed in Panjgur, Hoshab and Kharan to provide clean drinking water. Source: Radio Pakistan

In Chilas, at least 15 people were killed and 22 others injured in a road accident today. According to spokesperson of Gilgit-Baltistan government, a Rawalpindi to Gilgit bound passenger bus plunged into a ravine near Gonar Farm at Karakorum Highway. The injured have been shifted to Regional Headquarters Hospital Chilas. Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the bus accident. President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in bus accident near Chilas. Commiserating with the bereaved families, the President prayed for eternal peace of the deceased and patience for their families. He also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. Source: Radio Pakistan

The Medical Superintendent of Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital, Dr. Mushtaq Bashir has announced that the Punjab government is planning to complete the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology (NSIC) by 2025. Dr. Bashir highlighted the urgent need for modern healthcare facilities in the region, pointing out that despite a population of approximately 35.5 million spread across seven tehsils, Sargodha district has been conspicuously devoid of advanced medical amenities. He underscored the pressing demand for local access to specialized cardiac care, stating: The absence of a dedicated cardiology center has compelled a significant portion of the population to seek treatment in distant cities like Faisalabad and Lahore. He commended Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for her visionary initiative in laying the foundation stone of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, recognizing it as a pivotal step towards addressing the healthcare needs of the district's residents. 'The swift progress on this project signifi es a monumental service to the people of Sargodha,' affirmed Dr. Bashir, emphasizing the tangible impact the institute will have on improving healthcare outcomes in the region. Once operational, the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, integrated within the expansive infrastructure of Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital, is poised to accommodate 170 beds and offer comprehensive cardiac services, including surgical interventions. This strategic utilization of existing resources underscores the government's commitment to maximizing efficiency while ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services to the populace. With construction progressing apace, the imminent completion of the NSIC heralds a new era of healthcare accessibility and excellence for the residents of Sargodha district. As the countdown to 2025 begins, anticipation mounts for the inauguration of this state-of-the-art facility, poised to redefine healthcare standards and alleviate the burden of cardiac ailments on the local populace. Source: P ro Pakistani

Under the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI), farming has been started on barren and uninhabited lands in northern Balochistan. Pakistan Army and FC Balochistan (North) created awareness among local farmers about farming and were provided solar tubewells, seeds, fertilizers and agricultural machinery. An area of 4,600 acres in northern Balochistan including Kot Mandai, Duki and Qila Saifullah have been brought under cultivation. These measures have increased the rate of development in these areas ushering in economic prosperity among the people. Wheat, cotton, olives and seasonal vegetables are common crops cultivated in these areas with wheat alone generating around 220 million rupees revenue. Local elders and farmers have thanked Pakistan Army and FC for providing facilities for farming enabling people to utilize their land. Source: Radio Pakistan

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority (KPRA) has initiated a crackdown on non-compliant taxpayers in Peshawar as part of its efforts to strengthen tax compliance and combat evasion. A team from the KPRA, led by Assistant Collectors Khalid Mansoor, Roohullah Khan, and Shahnawaz Khan, along with inspectors, carried out targeted raids on two prominent restaurants located along University Road. During the raids, the team seized the financial records of the restaurants. According to an official, the raids were conducted on Habibi Restaurant and Dampukh Khorak as part of their enforcement drive against tax non-compliance. He added that despite multiple notices, the restaurants in question didn't respond, leading to the confiscation of their records as per KPRA regulations. KPRA Director General Fouzia Iqbal warned that disregarding tax obligations could lead to severe penalties, including record confiscation, bank account attachment, and business closure. Moreover, she appealed to all registered taxpayers w ith outstanding dues or involved in improper tax practices to settle their liabilities to avoid further enforcement measures. Source: Pro Pakistani