KARACHI: US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome and Sindh Minister for Health and Population Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho launched a collaborative initiative on Thursday aimed at addressing tuberculosis (TB), a significant health challenge in Pakistan.
TB cases have risen in Pakistan by 42.5 percent in the last three years with 47,000 people dying of the illness in 2023, according to official data, undermining the government’s plans to stamp out the disease by 2035 in the face of inadequate resources for screening and treatment.
Despite being preventable and treatable, TB remains the world’s leading infectious disease killer, sickening 10.6 million people and taking 1.3 million lives annually. Pakistan ranks fifth among high TB burden countries.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) leads the US government’s global TB efforts, working with partners around the world including Pakistan, prioritizing local community involvement and recognizing its critical role in ensuring sustainable and effective outcomes.
“Funded by USAID, the newly launched program, named the Tuberculosis Local Organization Network (TB-LON), is an investment of $9 million over five years,” the US embassy said in a statement.
“Its primary goal is to provide expert guidance and resources for Pakistan to effectively tackle TB. Through direct engagement with affected communities and individuals, the program will tailor solutions to meet specific needs. TB-LON will treat more TB cases in Sindh and significantly reduce the number of people affected by the disease.”
“Tuberculosis is not just a disease affecting millions in Pakistan; it’s an illness that disrupts lives, livelihoods, and communities,” Blome was quoted in the statemet as saying.
“Pakistan ranks fifth among countries with the highest rate of TB, but I am proud to say, we are changing that with this groundbreaking $9 million initiative that will provide expert guidance and resources to help eradicate TB, exemplifying our constant commitment to the resilient people of Sindh.”
Dr. Pechuho expressed appreciation for the ongoing support from the US government and reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to enhancing health care services.
“We are confident that our joint efforts in addressing critical health challenges will bring a positive change in the lives of people of Sindh,” she added, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in addressing critical health challenges.
In Pakistan, TB cases registered an increase from 272,990 in 2020 to 474,981 in 2023, with a treatment success rate of more than 90 percent, according to official data. The disease killed 48,000 people in 2021, 46,000 in 2022, and 47,000 people in 2023. Currently, there are a total of 608,000 TB cases registered with the National TB Control Program, according to data collected by Arab News in April this year.
US, Sindh province launch $9 million initiative to combat tuberculosis in Pakistan
https://arab.news/gtg4s
US, Sindh province launch $9 million initiative to combat tuberculosis in Pakistan
- TB cases have risen in Pakistan by 42.5 percent in last three years with 47,000 people dying of the illness in 2023
- TB remains world’s leading infectious disease killer, Pakistan ranks fifth among high TB burden countries
Arafat sermon projected to reach 1 billion listeners worldwide
- Sermon delivered on Saturday at Namira Mosque was translated live into 20 languages
- Translated sermons promote peace, coexistence, and deeper understanding of Islam
ARAFAT, Makkah: The Arafat sermon delivered on Saturday at Namira Mosque in Makkah was projected to reach a staggering one billion listeners worldwide, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The sermon was translated live into 20 languages as part of the groundbreaking initiative launched by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman's in 2018. Non-simultaneous translations into 17 languages were further made.
Spearheaded by the Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, the project serves as a cornerstone in spreading the message of moderation and centrism espoused by the holy sites, SPA said.
"The translated sermons promote peace, coexistence, and a deeper understanding of Islam — a religion built on mercy, tolerance, and peaceful living," the report said.
When the project was first launched in 2018, translations were offered in only five languages. Its reach has continued to grow each year. Sermons are translated into an increasing number of languages and broadcast on various platforms, including digital platforms, FM radio, and Islamic television channels.
"These efforts demonstrate the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to serving Islam and the global Muslim community," the report said, adding that the initiative "exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s dedication to serving the Two Holy Mosques and their pilgrims. It further reflects the leadership’s commitment to promoting global peace and the values of tolerance and moderation," said the report.
"Having surpassed 200 million listeners in 2020, the project fulfills the Kingdom’s sacred responsibility of caring for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors. By translating the Arafat sermon, they effectively share the message of these holy sites with the entire Muslim world," it further said.
For some Pakistanis, camels make a bigger, better and more expensive Eid sacrifice
- Traders from across Pakistan flock each year to Hala camel market in southern Matiari district
- Camel sellers and buyers complain of sharp rise in prices compared to last year though Pakistan inflation has slowed
MATIARI, Sindh: Muslims around the world often slaughter sheep and cows at the annual Eid Al-Adha “feast of the sacrifice” but some Pakistanis are thinking bigger.
Ahead of this year’s Eid holiday, traders from around the country are making their annual trip to the Hala market in the southern Matiari district, which is dedicated to animals for auction — but not sheep or cows, but camels.
“The biggest camel market in Pakistan is in Hala. Camels are brought here for trading from different cities, districts and divisions,” said Muhammad Akhtar, a trader who had arrived from the southwestern city of Quetta nearly 700 kilometers away to purchase camels ahead of Eid.
“This market is busy year-round. Camels are supplied here from all over Pakistan.”
Traders at the market listed some of the famous breeds, including Laari, Thari, and Saakrai, with Laari being the most expensive.
“There are different prices for camels depending on their beauty,” Akhtar said. “The sacrificial [Eid] camels are obviously the most expensive. Laari is the most expensive breed, so its price is higher.”
A Thari breed, weighing 8-9 maunds, can cost up over $3,000 around Eid time, while the Laari and Saakri kinds can go for over $6,000. Another breed, the Sindhi, can sell for up to $4,600.
“Camels are costlier on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha compared to before Eid,” Akhtar said. “Due to the arrival of Eid, rates are higher.”
Pakistan’s consumer price index (CPI) in May rose 11.8 percent from a year earlier, the lowest reading in 30 months and below the finance ministry’s projections, though consumers around the country still complain of exorbitant prices of food and energy.
Pakistan has been beset by inflation above 20 percent since May 2022. Last May, inflation jumped as high as 38 percent as the country navigated reforms as part of an International Monetary Fund bailout program. However, inflation has since slowed down but customers at the Hala market weren’t happy.
“I come to Hala every year to buy two sacrificial camels for my business. I prefer Sindhi camels, but they are quite expensive,” said Sher Muhammad Lulai, who had traveled hundreds of kilometers from a town in Punjab with a budget of around $2,100, which turned out to be much less than anything available.
“I will purchase if I find suitable ones, or I will return without buying anything.”
Asghar Ali, another trader from Punjab and a resident of Mian Channu, said he had purchased 15 camels from Hala market to take back to Punjab but prices had been back-breaking.
“Compared to last year, the cost has increased by Rs100,000 rupees [$350] but I have no choice but to purchase them, as this is my livelihood,” Ali said. “I will sell them back home and trust that God will provide me with sustenance,.”
“MARKET IS DOWN”
It’s not just buyers who are complaining. Sellers too said they were struggling to find customers this season.
Sher Khan, a trader from Usman Shah Huri in Sindh’s Tando Allahyar district, said he had brought two camels to the market to sell but failed thus far to find buyers.
“I am demanding RS1.8 million ($6,392) for my two camels, but despite being here for the last four days, I have not found a customer,” he said. “The market is very down, perhaps due to inflation.”
Saadullah Brohi, another trader from Quetta, said he had been coming to Hala to sell for 22 years but had never seen the market “this slow” before.
“In the past, the market was good, but it’s not good anymore,” Brohi told Arab News. “However, we cannot do anything except adjust ourselves to survive as I have to feed my family.”
Pakistani pilgrims transition from Arafat to Muzdalifah, marking key rituals of Hajj journey
- Pilgrims attended the annual Hajj sermon in Arafat where they were urged to pray for people of Palestine
- After spending the night in Muzdalifah, pilgrims will perform symbolic stoning of the devil in the morning
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani pilgrims began moving to Muzdalifah on Saturday evening after spending the day in Arafat, where they had gathered in the morning to attend the annual Hajj sermon and engage in prayers and self-reflection, as confirmed by the country’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The Day of Arafat holds tremendous significance as it commemorates the moment more than 1,400 years ago when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his Farewell Sermon, calling for unity, equality and justice among Muslims.
After spending a reflective night under the starry sky in Muzdalifah, pilgrims will move to Mina in the morning to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil at Jamarat, an act signifying the rejection of evil.
“After completing the standing at Arafat, all Pakistani government Hajj pilgrims, along with other pilgrims, set off toward Muzdalifah,” the ministry said in a statement. “The Pakistani pilgrims departed for Muzdalifah under the guidance of their sector representatives.”
“The pilgrims seemed satisfied with the arrangements made by the Saudi authorities, and they continued to congratulate each other happily after completing their stay in Arafat,” the statement added.
Earlier, pilgrims from across the world attended the Hajj sermon delivered by one of the prayer leaders of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Sheikh Maher bin Hamad Al-Muaiqly, who urged them to pray for the Palestinians who had been “harmed and hurt by their enemy.”
He noted the people of Palestine had been deprived of “food, medicine and clothing.”
Asked about their Hajj experience, Pakistani pilgrims said they were fortunate to be in Arafat to perform one of the greatest rituals in Islam.
“The experience in Mina and Arafat has remained very good,” Ilyas Kabir from DG Khan said in a video circulated by the ministry. “It is a great blessing to have the opportunity to perform Hajj. I urge the pilgrims to be patient.”
An elderly woman in a wheelchair, who said she had been performing Hajj with her son, informed that she had been praying for the entire Muslim world.
“I pray for all Muslims,” she said. “Good wishes, good intentions, especially for Palestine. May there be peace and tranquility. May Allah grant them freedom.”
The stoning ritual at Jamarat in the morning will be followed by the traditional animal sacrifice, leading to Eid Al-Adha celebrations across the world.
With input from AP
PM Sharif pledges next IMF bailout to be Pakistan’s last in 100-day progress address
- The prime minister envisions leaner governance structure, promises solid results within two and a half months
- He says the government will send 300,000 Pakistanis for IT training to China, make exports more competitive
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday vowed to make the next International Monetary Fund (IMF) program the last one needed to cure his country’s ailing economy during a televised address that summarized the 100-day progress of his administration, which came into power after the general elections in February.
Sharif delivered the speech just a few days after his government presented its first $67.76 billion federal budget, setting highly ambitious revenue generation targets without specifying significant cost-containment measures.
Pakistan is also engaged in negotiations with the IMF for a longer-term bailout of around $8 billion, following a short-term loan of $3 billion that helped the country avert a sovereign debt default in June last year. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb announced in a post-budget news conference this week that the country was hopeful to sign a staff-level agreement with the international lending agency in July.
The prime minister said in his speech his government had taken measures to attract foreign investment and enhance trade with other countries to end the borrowing cycle and find a way out of the debt trap.
“Pakistan will gradually escape the life of debts,” he said during the address. “It is difficult, but not impossible. There are examples in the modern world where many countries approached the IMF only once, and then never returned to it for the rest of their lives.”
“We have gone there 24 or 25 times,” he continued. “Today, I promise you that, God willing, if we strictly follow our program and fully commit to the goals we have set, then this program we are taking might be the last IMF program in the history of Pakistan. After this, we will stand on our own feet and surpass our neighboring countries in the race for development.”
The prime minister said his administration had already brought down inflation from 38 to 12 percent.
Sharing his vision for rapid economic progress, he said the government would not run businesses or enterprises but facilitate the private sector to take the lead. He also noted that his administration was working toward a leaner governance structure and reduced expenses.
“It is the primary duty of my government to eliminate royal expenditures,” he said. “All such ministries and institutions that have become a burden on the nation instead of serving it, and have not only incurred unjust expenses but have also become centers of corruption, their elimination has now become inevitable,” he continued. “It is my foremost duty to abolish them. Therefore, a ministerial committee has been formed on this matter, and I assure you that, God willing, I will bring you positive results within the next two and a half months.”
Sharif said his government was working to create a business-friendly environment and had arranged for 300,000 young Pakistanis to receive information technology training in China every year.
He also noted it had brought down the power tariffs for industries by Rs10.50 per unit to bring down production costs and make Pakistani exports more competitive in international markets.
Pakistan PM advocates digital governance, eyes cost cuts and transparency with E-Office initiative
- The E-Office plan is part of a broader initiative to make the governance structure leaner and more efficient
- The PM also held a meeting to discuss the rationalization of state expenses before the budget presentation
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday the digitization of government ministries and subordinate departments would save Pakistan billions of rupees and ensure transparency while presiding over a meeting to review the transition to electronic-office (E-Office).
This initiative is part of a broader plan to make the governance structure leaner and more efficient, held shortly after discussions on the rationalization of state expenses before Wednesday’s federal budget presentation.
“The main purpose of using E-Office is to provide the public with better services and bring transparency to the government system,” Sharif told at the meeting. “The use of paper will be minimized, which will also have positive effects on the environment. The transition to E-Office will save billions of rupees for the national treasury.”
The prime minister instructed relevant authorities to make E-Office user-friendly and secure.
He also urged speeding up progress on a cooperation agreement with the Chinese technology company Huawei in this connection, which he discussed during his recent five-day visit to China.
These meetings to reform government structure and operations come at a critical time when Pakistan faces large and persistent fiscal deficits that contribute to macroeconomic instability.
The issue is significant as the government seeks another International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, where reducing government expenses could help reallocate funds to more pressing economic issues.
