Pakistan
Present regime and dengue!
A few days ago I was busy in a meeting in my office when I received a call from a friend on my phone. I didn't listen to that call due to my busy schedule and thought that I would call back after finishing the meeting, but then the same friend's call started coming again.
I hung up the phone again and texted him that I was busy with the meeting, finished and called back. As soon as I read this message, this friend of mine sent me a reply message that Imran Bhai is an emergency, so contact me immediately. As soon as I read this message, I called this friend and he almost cried and told me that my sister is very ill, her platelets are very low due to dengue and the doctors have said that if you take her life If you want to save, take the patient to a good hospital in Lahore immediately. Brother Imran! Do something for God's sake, or my sister will die. We have made every effort for ourselves. There is no bed in any government or private hospital. Help us for God's sake.
I comforted him on my own and said: "You hang up. I'll do something." As soon as I hung up, I called a very close friend of mine, a doctor who is the CEO of a well-known private hospital in Lahore, and stated my case. Expressing his helplessness, Dr Sahib said to me, "Imran bhai, you are well aware that if I have the capacity for one bed, I should be present, but what can I do?" There is no room available and no bed in the ICU. All the hospitals are full of dengue patients. After hearing this denial, I contacted the owner of another well-known hospital in Lahore, located in front of Gaddafi Stadium on Ferozepur Road, through another friend, but got a similar response from there. On the other hand, my friend was constantly crying and calling me to do something for the sake of God.
With every call of his phone, not only my responsibility was increasing but also my embarrassment was constantly increasing. It was increasingly why I could not help him in this troubled world. In the midst of this predicament, I contacted another friend of mine, a doctor who also owns a large private hospital in Lahore, and asked him for some special compassion and help in this whole situation. He was especially kind and told me that there was no room or ICU bed available but that I could do something to alleviate the anxiety of you and your friend in the side room next to the ICU. This patient is admitted and his treatment is started immediately. I especially thanked the doctor and told my friend to take his sister to the hospital immediately.
After going through all this process, I was forced to think why we Pakistanis are deprived of even basic facilities for treatment in case of any disease? Under the Constitution of Pakistan, when it is the responsibility of the government to provide health and medical care to every Pakistani, then why do we have to stumble, be humiliated and seek recommendations for treatment. Don't ask the poor, even though they have money and resources, they have to beg for treatment in private hospitals. Room rent in most private hospitals is higher than in five star hotels, but the people who are willing to spend that much money still don't get the facilities. The poor die wandering around in government hospitals seeking treatment, but no one cares.
According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan spends only 1.2% of its GDP on health, while the WHO suggests Pakistan should spend 5% of GDP on health. When Prime Minister Imran Khan was in opposition, he was openly critical of the lack of health facilities and government policies. He also claimed that after the formation of the PTI government, revolutionary steps would be taken in the field of healthcare in the country, especially at government hospitals where all the medical facilities would be available to the common man. Has this happened? If you ask the truth, the answer is no.
Per official figures released in May 2020, Rs90.1 billion were spent on the health of 111.12 million people in Punjab, the country's largest province. That is Rs818.99 per annum and Rs 68.25 per month were spent for the health of an individual. The Sindh province, which came second in terms of population, spent Rs62.5 billion on the health of its 47.8 million citizens, i.e. Rs1,305 per citizen per year and Rs108.76 per month per month. Balochistan has a population of 12.3 million and has a health budget of Rs15.2 billion, i.e. Rs1,231.32 per citizen per year and Rs102.61 per month. In 2018-19, FATA was not integrated into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to which KP had set aside Rs23.5 billion for its population of 35.23 million. Thus, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa spent Rs769.90 per person per year and Rs64.15 per month.
Speaking of Islamabad, the federation spent Rs12.4 billion in the health sector last financial year, which was for the citizens of the federal capital as well as for the areas under its jurisdiction. After Corona, dengue has raised more questions about the government performance. The PML-N has sharply criticized the government in this regard. Opposition leader in Punjab Hamza Shehbaz has even said the Punjab government is responsible for the spread of dengue in Punjab, which was pointed out by a report of the health department itself. This year's dengue campaign was ordered at a time when deaths were on the rise.
Whether the people trust the government or the opposition, the truth is that every Pakistani has a constitutional and fundamental right to access appropriate treatment.
Pakistan
Nation celebrates Iqbal’s 147th birth anniversary today
Dignified change of guard ceremony is held at Mazar-e-Iqbal to pay homage to him
Lahore: The 147th birth anniversary of the thinker of Pakistan, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal, is celebrated nationwide with respect and dignity on Saturday.
On the occasion of Allama Iqbal's birth anniversary, a dignified change of guard ceremony is held at Mazar-e-Iqbal to pay homage to him.
The active contingent of the Pakistan Navy took over the duties of the guard of honor while the Pakistan Rangers Punjab contingent decommissioned their duties at the shrine.
Commander of Pakistan Navy, Central Punjab, Rear Admiral Azhar Mehmood will inspect the Pakistan Rangers and Pakistan Navy troops in the Guard.
After the deployment of the guards, floral wreaths were laid on the national poet's mausoleum by Amir-ul-Bahr Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Pakistan Navy officers, sailors, and Navy civilians.
Pakistan Navy Commander Central Punjab Rear Admiral Azhar Mehmood is the Chief Guest of the event.
Pakistan
New passport fees announced
E-passport of 36 pages for five years will cost Rs3,000 for normal fee
Islamabad: The federal government has announced new passport fees across the country.
The government has fixed separate fees for the issuance of e-passports, Machine-Readable Passports (MRP), and lost passports.
An e-passport of 36 pages for five years will cost Rs3,000 for the normal fee and Rs1,5000 for the urgent fee.
The fee for a normal passport of 75 pages will be Rs15,500 and for an urgent passport, it will be Rs27,000 for 10 years.
Rs13,500 will be the fee for a normal 36-page e-passport, and Rs24,750 for urgent. Rs16,500 for a normal e-passport of 75 pages, Rs27,000 rupees for urgent. Rs24,750 for a normal fee for 10 years and Rs40,500 will be charged for an urgent passport.
Normal MRP of 36 pages for five years fee is Rs4,500, urgent Rs7,500, and fast track passport fee is Rs13,500.
72 pages for 10 years MRP normal fee is Rs6,700, the urgent fee is Rs11,200 and the fast track fee is Rs16,200. 72 pages for five years Normal MRP fee is Rs8,200, urgent Rs13,500, and fast track fee is Rs19,500, 100 pages normal MRP fee is Rs9,000, urgent Rs18,000, and the fast track fee has been fixed at Rs23,000.
For 10 years MRP 100 pages normal fee is Rs13,500, the urgent fee is Rs17,000, fast track fee is fixed at Rs32,000.
Separate fees have been set for the first, second, and third time lost passports. Rs54,000 will be charged for the first lost passport and Rs3,56,000 for the third lost passport.
Business
Abu Dhabi Ports, Pakistan ink four MoUs
MoUs were related to ministries of Maritime Affairs, Aviation, Railways and Federal Board of Revenue
Islamabad: Abu Dhabi Ports and Pakistan signed on Friday four memorandums of understanding (MoUs). Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also present at the ceremony.
The MoUs were related to Ministries of Maritime Affairs, Aviation, Railways and Federal Board of Revenue with Abu Dhabi (AD) Ports Group.
A statement from the Prime Minister Office (PMO) said a high-level delegation of UAE investors led by H.H. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
“Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister expressed gratitude and thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, as well as His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE for their steadfast support to Pakistan,” the statement added.
H.H. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi thanked PM Shehbaz for the warm welcome and hospitality. Showing his satisfaction at the existing investments of AD Ports in Pakistan, the UAE dignitary showed keen desire to further expand investment in Pakistan in shipping, ports efficiency enhancement, logistics and digitisation of customs.
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