LAHORE: Rising levels of air pollution in Pakistan’s second largest city could cause “serious” medical complications for people suffering from COVID-19, doctors say, as Lahore ranked first on Swiss firm IQAir’s list of the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday.
Pakistan has so far reported over 349,000 infections and more than 7,000 deaths. On November 11, Pakistan recorded 34 deaths, its highest single-day coronavirus death toll in four months, according to government data.
Recent international studies have offered links between long-term exposure to pollution and COVID-19 death rates, saying coronavirus patients in areas with high levels of air pollution are more likely to die from the infection than patients in cleaner cities.
On Thursday, Swiss firm IQAir showed Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, had an air quality index of 306, which is considered hazardous.
“Smog affects our health adversely in so many different ways, causing allergies, exacerbation of bronchitis, asthma and other chronic airway diseases; it also lowers our overall immunity and resistance to infections and impacts our respiratory system,” Dr. Mehmood Shaukat, head of the Punjab government’s COVID-19 program, told Arab News. “The coronavirus also enters our body through the mucous membrane lining our respiratory tract, thus making things worse.”
Indeed, one of the most common symptoms of severe coronavirus cases is breathing difficulty. And doctors say that if the ambient air suddenly becomes more toxic, as it does every year around this time in Pakistan’s Punjab province, then more people infected by the virus might end up on ventilators or die.
“Since coronavirus patients usually face breathing difficulties, smog and an unhealthy environment can endanger the lives of those suffering from COVID-19,” said Dr. Asad Aslam, head of the Punjab Corona Experts Advisory Group, adding that the number of coronavirus patients was increasing in Lahore and pollution could “aggravate the situation.”
Aslam said the biggest challenge at the moment was convincing people to comply with health care guidelines.
Air pollution in Lahore and other parts of Punjab province is caused by a combination of vehicle and industrial emissions, smoke from brick kilns, the burning of crop residue and general waste, and dust from construction sites. Other factors of air pollution include large scale losses of trees to the construction of new roads and buildings.
“Pakistan was ranked the second most polluted country in the world by the 2019 AirVisual report; it’s unfortunate that we have continued to witness crop burning, poorly maintained vehicles on roads and operational brick kilns even after the Provincial Disaster Management Authority’s order on smog,” WWF Pakistan’s Nazifa Butt said.
“The rising air quality index can cause significant health care issues and result in respiratory illnesses,” she added. “Smog 2020 may turn out to be quite tough for COVID-19 patients.”
On its part, the provincial administration of Punjab says it is acting against environmental regulation violations.
“The Provincial Disaster Management Authority is closely monitoring the smog situation and issuing daily reports,” the organization’s director operations, Nisar Ahmad Sani, told Arab News. “Strict action is being taken against the violators of environment laws. Factories and outlets have been sealed and police reports lodged.”
“The Punjab government has also noted with concern that smog compounds the miseries of COVID-19 patients and delays their recovery,” Sani said. “Special arrangements have therefore been made to control the menace.”
He declined to comment on what the new arrangements are.
In Pakistan’s Lahore, doctors worry as toxic air meets COVID-19
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In Pakistan’s Lahore, doctors worry as toxic air meets COVID-19
- Lahore ranked first on Swiss firm IQAir’s list of the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday
- Recent studies have offered links between long-term exposure to pollution and coronavirus death rates
Egypt’s Zakaria beats Pakistan’s Iqbal to clinch international squash competition in Karachi
- Mohamed Zakaria beat Nasir Iqbal 11-13, 11-4, 11-5 and 11-7 to clinch the international squash competition
- Five local players and 19 international ones participated in the CNS International Squash Competition in Karachi
ISLAMABAD: Egypt’s Mohamed Zakaria defeated Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal on Sunday to clinch the 16th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) International Squash Championship 2024 in Karachi.
Held in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi, five domestic and 19 international squash players participated in the championship. Competitors from Egypt, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Czech Republic, Japan, Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands took part in the competition, Pakistan Army’s media wing said in a statement on Sunday.
Zakaria beat Iqbal 11-13, 11-4, 11-5, and 11-7 to clinch the trophy and walk away with the lucrative prize money of $20,000.
“Mohammed Zakaria of Egypt declared the winner of the 16th Chief of the Naval Staff International Squash Championship 2024,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army’s media wing, said.
The closing ceremony of the tournament was held at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex in Karachi. Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf was the chief guest at the ceremony.
“The naval chief distributed prizes to the winners and runners-up players of the championship,” the ISPR said, adding that the closing ceremony was attended by a large number of civil and military dignitaries, sponsors, national players and fans.
Pakistan has always been counted among the world’s top squash-playing nations, introducing legendary players of the sport such as Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, Azam Khan, and Qamar Zaman to the world. Between themselves, Jansher Khan and Jahangir Khan won the World Squash Open title 14 times for Pakistan during the ‘80s and the ‘90s.
Pakistan’s deputy PM to travel to Beijing today to bolster ties, enhance economic cooperation
- Ishaq Dar to co-chair strategic dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on four-day visit
- Dar to meet Chinese leaders, senior ministers and corporate executive on sidelines of conference
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will travel to Beijing today, Monday, to take part in a strategic dialogue with Chinese FM Wang Yi, bolster bilateral ties, and enhance economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
Beijing has been one of Islamabad’s most reliable foreign partners in recent years, readily providing financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbor. In July last year, China granted Pakistan a two-year rollover on a $2.4 billion loan, giving the debt-saddled nation much-needed breathing space as it tackled a balance-of-payments crisis.
Dar will visit China from May 13-16 where he will co-chair the fifth round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Yi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Saturday.
“The two sides will comprehensively review Pakistan-China bilateral relations including economic and trade cooperation; high-level exchanges and visits; upgradation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and future connectivity initiatives,” MoFA said.
“The two leaders will also exchange views on the unfolding regional geopolitical landscape and bilateral cooperation at the multilateral fora.”
The foreign office said Dar would meet Chinese leaders, senior ministers and corporate executives on the sidelines of the dialogue, adding that his visit was part of regular high-level exchanges between both countries.
“It reflects the importance attached by the two countries to further deepening the ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’; reaffirming mutual support on issues of core interest; enhancing economic and trade cooperation including CPEC; and reinforcing joint commitment to regional peace and development,” MoFA said.
China has invested over $65 billion in energy and infrastructure projects as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project is part of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. CPEC is designed to provide China with a shorter and safer trading route to the Middle East and beyond through Pakistan.
Since its initiation in 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funneled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects. But the undertaking has also been hit by Pakistan struggling to keep up its financial obligations as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants.
Dar’s visit to China takes place in the backdrop of Pakistan’s moves to seek foreign investment from its allies as it tries to navigate an economic crisis that has seen its reserves dip to low levels and its currency weaken against the dollar.
Islamabad has seen visits by diplomatic and business delegations from Saudi Arabia, Japan and Uzbekistan in recent weeks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to ensure an enabling business environment in Pakistan for foreign investors and traders.
Pakistan PM to chair high-level meeting today to discuss Azad Kashmir unrest
- One cop died in clashes between police and protesters demanding cheaper wheat flour, electricity on Saturday
- Pakistan’s president urges all stakeholders to exercise restraint, resolve all disputes through dialogue, consultation
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will chair a high-level meeting today, Monday, to discuss the precarious law-and-order situation in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported after last week’s clashes in the area left one cop dead, at least 90 injured.
Clashes erupted between police and supporters of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) rights organization in various parts of the territory on Saturday. Violence broke out when police tried to stop a JAAC rally from reaching Azad Kashmir capital Muzaffarabad from Poonch and Kotli districts. The protesters were demanding electricity as per the hydropower generation cost in Azad Kashmir and subsidized wheat flour.
The Himalayan territory of Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from Britain in 1947. Both countries rule part of the territory, but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the disputed region. The western portion of the larger Kashmir region is administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity, where the protesters have been calling for subsidy on wheat flour and electricity among other demands.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened a high-level meeting on Monday, which will discuss the ongoing situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir,” APP said in a report.
In a separate post on social media platform X, Sharif warned protesters against taking the law into their hands and damaging government buildings.
“I have spoken to PM AJK and also directed all PML-N office bearers in AJK to talk to the leaders of the action committee and I urge all parties to resort to peaceful course of action for resolution of their demands,” he wrote on Sunday.
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday urged all stakeholders to exercise restraint and resolve the price hike issue in Azad Kashmir through “dialogue and mutual consultation,” Pakistani state media reported, amid protests in the territory for subsidized wheat flour and cheaper electricity.
The Pakistan president said this during his meeting with a delegation of members of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, who belonged to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
“The President said political parties, state institutions and the people of AJK should act responsibly so that hostile elements could not exploit the situation to their benefit,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The President highlighted that the demands of the people of AJK should be addressed as per law. He said that he would take up the grievances of the people of AJK with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to find a way out of the current situation.”
Pakistan last year narrowly avoided a default on the payment of foreign debts when the International Monetary Fund and several friendly nations came to its rescue by giving it loans.
Pakistan’s monthly inflation rate at one point reached over 40 percent, but authorities say it has come down to 17 percent ahead of talks with the IMF for a new bailout. Islamabad plans to get at least $6 billion from the lender when it reaches a deal expected in the coming months.
Pakistan defeat Ireland to level T20 series
- Ireland made a dynamic start after being put into bat as the hosts blasted 29 runs in the first three overs
- But Shaheen Shah Afridi put the brakes on Ireland’s assault, dismissing the opening pair in the fourth over
LONDON: Pakistan beat Ireland by seven wickets in the second Twenty20 international in Dublin on Sunday to set up a deciding showdown in the three-match series.
Ireland made a dynamic start after being put into bat as the hosts blasted 29 runs in the first three overs.
But Shaheen Shah Afridi put the brakes on Ireland’s assault, dismissing opening pair Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie in the fourth over.
Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector (32) put on 62 for the third wicket, with the former scoring 51 in 34 deliveries.
Curtis Campher (22) and George Dockrell (15) boosted the score before Gareth Delany’s 28 off 10 balls helped the hosts post 193 for seven.
Pakistan spluttered at the start of their chase as Saim Ayub was caught in the first over and skipper Babar Azam nicked Graham Hume behind to depart for a duck in the second.
But Ireland’s hopes of sealing a famous series win with a game to spare were dashed as Mohammad Rizwan (75 not out) and Fakhar Zaman (78) put on a stunning 140-run partnership.
Azam Khan added 30 from 10 balls to take Pakistan home with 3.1 overs unused.
Ireland had claimed their first ever T20 victory against Pakistan in the series opener on Friday, winning by five wickets with one ball to spare.
Pakistan will also face Ireland in the group stage of next month’s T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.
Former Pakistan finance minister announces forming new party ending months of speculation
- Miftah Ismail, who took tough decisions for resumption of Pakistan’s stalled $6 billion IMF bailout, was forced to step down in 2022
- Former minister says they are forming a party based on ‘ideas and not personalities,’ with women and young people as part of leadership
ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan finance minister, Miftah Ismail, on Sunday announced forming a new political party that would be “internally democratic” and would speak for the “aspirations of all Pakistanis.”
Ismail, who took tough decisions for the resumption of the country’s stalled $6 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, was forced to step down in September 2022 by the former coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and with Ishaq Dar.
The former minister, along with other dissident politicians belonging to the then ruling coalition, kicked off a nationwide debate called “Reimagining Pakistan” in 2023, taking up a wide range of issues for discussion while expressing regret they were not adequately addressed earlier.
For the last several months, speculation had been rife that the former finance minister was planning to launch a new political group, which could be joined by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and ex-senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokar.
On Sunday, Ismail said they were forming a party based on “ideas and not personalities,” with women and young people as part of the leadership team.
“We are forming a different kind of party... a party that has professionals of integrity, competence and intellectual honesty, a party that belongs not to a province or a city but to the whole nation, a party that will constitutionally mandate term limits for its leaders, be internally democratic, and would never consider any individual or family to be indispensable,” he said on X.
“Most importantly, a party that speaks for the hopes and aspirations of all Pakistanis.”
In an op-ed written for the English-language daily The News on Saturday, Ismail said for the first time ever, they were not just apprehensive but frightened about the future of Pakistan.
“Daily survival is getting harder and harder for our people, our already ineffective governance is getting even worse, and our nation is drifting backward as the rest of the world is marching forward,” he wrote.
“We are fast reaching the point of no return – and it is imperative we take a hard look at our ineffective governance that has failed our people. We need to radically restructure our governance so that we can finally give hope and opportunity to all our people.”
Pakistan has for months been faced with low foreign exchange reserves, currency devaluation and high inflation. The South Asian country last month completed a short-term $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, which helped stave off a sovereign default, but the incumbent government of PM Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the need for a fresh, longer-term program.
Pakistan and the IMF are expected to begin formal talks next week, with Islamabad saying it expects a staff-level agreement by July. Though both Pakistani and IMF officials have refrained from commenting on the size of the program, the South Asian nation is expected to seek around $7 billion bailout from the global lender.
