ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a third nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign of this year that aims to inoculate 45 million children under five, the country’s polio program said on Sunday.
The campaign was formally inaugurated by Ayesha Raza Farooq, the prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication, who administered oral polio vaccine and Vitamin A drops to children under five at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) in Islamabad.
Polio is a paralyzing disease with no cure. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, along with the completion of the routine immunization schedule for all children are essential to ensure strong immunity against the disease.
Pakistan has confirmed 10 cases so far this year, according to the polio program. Environmental surveillance has detected the virus in 272 sewage samples from 127 testing sites, across 68 districts, signaling continued circulation.
“Polio eradication is not just a health goal — it is a national imperative and a matter of immense pride for our country,” Farooq said.
“This third campaign of 2025 marks a decisive milestone in our 2-4-6 roadmap. These back-to-back rounds from September 2024 to May 2025 represent our most strategic opportunity to close immunity gaps and halt virus circulation before the high transmission season begins.”
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic.
The polio program described the weeklong campaign as a critical intervention in Pakistan’s “final push” to interrupt poliovirus transmission and achieve eradication by end of 2025.
Farooq acknowledged persistent challenges in areas such as Karachi, southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Quetta, but noted encouraging progress in reaching previously underserved populations.
Around 400,000 frontline workers, including 225,000 woman vaccinators, are powering the campaign, according to the polio program.
Speaking at the event, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil, who just concluded his tenure, expressed confidence in the program’s direction.
“Pakistan is closer than ever to making history. With continued political will, community engagement, and coordinated action by all partners, I believe this country can soon achieve a polio-free future,” he said.
Pakistan’s polio program began in 1994, but efforts to eradicate the virus have been repeatedly undermined by vaccine misinformation and resistance from some religious hard-liners who claim that immunization is a foreign plot to sterilize Muslim children or a cover for Western espionage.
Militant groups have also frequently targeted polio vaccination teams and the security personnel assigned to protect them, often resulting in deadly attacks.
The polio program has urged public to cooperate with vaccination teams and report any missed children via the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline 1166 or the WhatsApp Helpline at 0346-7776546.
KARACHI: Pakistan’s government has increased the price of petrol by Rs5.36 per liter and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs11.37 per liter for the next fortnight, the Finance Division announced late Tuesday.
The revised prices took effect from today, July 16.
According to the official notification, petrol now costs Rs272.15 per liter, up from Rs266.79, while HSD has risen to Rs284.35 per liter from the previous Rs272.98.
“The Government has revised the prices of petroleum products for the fortnight starting tomorrow, based on the recommendation of OGRA [Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority] and the relevant Ministries,” the Finance Division said in its statement.
Fuel prices in Pakistan are adjusted every two weeks and are influenced by global oil market trends, currency fluctuations and changes in domestic taxation.
The increases have a direct impact on inflation, raising production and transportation costs and driving up the prices of essential goods and services, particularly food. The effect is further amplified by Pakistan’s reliance on imported fuel.
This marks the third consecutive increase in fuel prices. On June 16, the government raised petrol by Rs4.80 per liter and HSD by Rs7.95. Another hike followed on July 1, with petrol up by Rs8.36 and HSD by Rs10.39.
Fuel price volatility escalated last month during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, when Pakistan instructed oil marketing companies to maintain mandatory reserve levels.
While the government ruled out supply shortages, the conflict triggered concerns about a potential disruption in oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
KARACHI: Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening ties with China, while addressing a ceremony marking the 98th founding day of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), according to an official statement.
Islamabad and Beijing are long-time allies and have jointly pursued multibillion-dollar infrastructure, energy and regional connectivity projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship initiative of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The corridor provides Beijing with direct access to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan’s Gwadar port, while enabling Islamabad to modernize infrastructure and boost regional trade.
The two countries also maintain close cooperation in defense and security. Earlier this month, India’s Deputy Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Rahul Singh, claimed China had provided Pakistan with “live inputs” during a four-day military conflict with India in May. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, in an exclusive interview with Arab News last month, described the outcome as a “victory” that was entirely “Made in Pakistan.”
“In his address, the CJCSC highlighted the enduring and time-tested ‘Iron-clad brotherhood’ between Pakistan and China, with shared resolve to broaden and deepen this unique relationship across all domains,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
“He commended PLA’s pivotal role under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Xi Jinping for China’s remarkable development and rapid modernization, which has transformed People’s Republic of China into a key pillar of peace, stability and prosperity,” the statement added. “CJCSC highlighted China as a stabilizing factor in the regional security dynamics.”
The event, held in Rawalpindi, was attended by a wide cross-section of civilian and military officials, diplomats, media representatives and business leaders.
General Mirza also reiterated Pakistan’s “unwavering commitment” to ensuring the security of Chinese nationals working in the country.
Thousands of Chinese citizens are employed across dozens of CPEC-linked projects, many of which are located in volatile regions such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where separatist and militant groups have repeatedly targeted foreign workers.
Chinese nationals have also come under attack in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and commercial capital, prompting authorities to implement tighter security protocols.
ISLAMABAD: Reham Khan, ex-wife of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, on Tuesday announced the launch of a new political party — the Pakistan Republic Party — aimed at representing women, farmers and other marginalized groups.
A journalist by profession, Reham first entered the political spotlight in January 2015 after marrying the cricketer-turned-politician, who was then chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
She was allegedly involved in behind-the-scenes politics that sparked controversy within PTI, with some senior party members uncomfortable with her presence and eventually sidelining her from party affairs.
The couple divorced less than a year later, with Reham later claiming that political pressure contributed to the split.
“Today, I am sharing the name [of my party] with you, InshAllah, Pakistan Republic Party, which would speak of a republic, where there will be no room for mob behavior, where horizontal leadership will be spoken about, and where those with working experience, what we call ‘lived experience’ in English, will be given representation,” she said at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club.
She pledged to push for legal reforms that improve the lives of ordinary citizens — especially women and farmers — and called for policies that reflect the public’s real struggles.
Reham described the initiative as a national mission rather than just a political movement, focused on restoring hope, dignity and meaningful representation.
“This is a party for the public,” she later said in a post on X. “I will involve you, the public, in the manifesto, the direction, the operating structure.”
“Already been connected to amazing people that you & I have never heard of, but they have been doing great work in their hometowns,” she continued. “These fresh faces will decide how to proceed.”
This is a party for the public. I will involve you the public in the manifesto the direction the operating structure. Already been connected to amazing people that you & I have never heard of but they have been doing great work in their hone towns. These fresh faces will decide… https://t.co/hrFoBgpzS6
The announcement comes as PTI begins a 90-day “do or die” protest movement calling for Imran Khan’s release. The former premier remains in jail on multiple charges he says are politically motivated.
Earlier this month, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr., grandson of the late former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, also announced plans to form a political party focused on farmers’ rights.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s transformation of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) border paramilitary force into a federal force ahead of planned protests by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party this week sparked fears of political repression in the country, with opposition members and analysts saying the new nationwide force could be used as a “tool to suppress political opponents.”
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari allowed the government to turn Frontier Constabulary into the national security force, called Federal Constabulary, through an ordinance on Monday in order to support law enforcement agencies and to address evolving security challenges across the South Asian country.
The paramilitary force was initially formed to uphold law and order in border and frontier regions, according to the ordinance. However, the evolving conditions, marked by frequent emergencies, natural disasters, civil disturbances and other emerging risks, created the need for a more flexible and capable force to effectively respond to these challenges.
The move has raised concerns among opposition parties, particularly Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which fears that the new force could be used as a means of political repression amid its 90-day anti-government protest movement, announced on July 13.
“From the looks of it, it’s a safe assumption that such laws are being inflicted, just ahead of political movement announced by PTI, as a tool to suppress political opponents,” Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari, a close Khan aide, told Arab News.
Frontier Constabulary (FC) personel detains a supporter of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, during a protest a day after the assassination attempt on Khan, in Islamabad on November 4, 2022. (AFP/File)
Pakistan ranks as the second-most affected country by militancy, according to The Global Terrorism Index 2025. Militancy-related deaths surged by 45 percent, rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024, marking one of the steepest global increases. The attacks in Pakistan more than doubled, from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024.
The new duties of the Federal Constabulary, whose cadres were previously recruited only from tribes in the northwestern KP province, will include internal security, riot control and counter-terrorism.
The government’s move to transform the force came ahead of planned protests by Khan’s PTI on Aug. 5, the second anniversary of his arrest. Several such protests by the party since Khan’s brief arrest in May 2023 have turned violent, in some cases paralyzing the capital Islamabad for days.
In the near future, PTI’s Bukhari said, it would be clear if the law was being introduced to, in fact, address security challenges or to stop any political movement that could endanger the existence of the “current, so-called democracy.”
“The new force should not be used as a gimmick to silence political opponents as has been previously witnessed, when the government applied such laws against a large number of the PTI leadership and supporters,” he added.
Khan’s party has been protesting to secure to secure his release and an audit of the Fed. 2024 general election, which it says was rigged to benefit its opponents. Pakistan’s election authorities deny the allegation, while the government accuses Khan’s party of attempting to disrupt its efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth through violent protests.
Ali Imtiaz Warraich, the PTI parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly, said “crushing the public mandate” would never result in stability of the country.
“Federal and Punjab governments’ only focus is PTI and all actions taken are only PTI-centered,” he told Arab News, adding that it had not worked in past, nor would it work in future.
However, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the Federal Constabulary should not be mistaken for a federal police force.
“It will continue to function as a constabulary as the restructuring and renaming are solely aimed at strengthening internal and national security,” he said this week, adding the overhaul was institutionally essential to enhance coordination, improve compensation and build operational capacity of the force throughout all provinces and territories.
“This is entirely a defense-oriented initiative intended to reinforce national security by supporting law enforcement agencies,” he added.
Frontier Constabulary (FC) security personnel stand guard on a road, during an anti-government "Azadi March" led by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, in Islamabad on October 31, 2019. (AFP/File)
Chaudhry stated the restructuring was also an administrative necessity as despite its significant contributions, the force had long been overlooked and continued to function with limited salaries and benefits compared to other security forces in Pakistan.
“Its transformation into a federal force is to eliminate existing disparities by upgrading its structure and scope under the new title,” he said, adding the reorganization was aimed at ensuring that FC personnel receive salaries, training and benefits at par with other national security forces.
Under the new federal framework, FC’s jurisdiction would extend across all four provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, according to the minister.
“While continuing to perform its duties under this redefined structure, the Federal Constabulary will build on its longstanding role in combating drug trafficking and smuggling and in assisting civil law enforcement during sensitive occasions such as Muharram, general elections and anti-polio campaigns,” he said.
Arab News spoke to some analysts about the government’s move, who voiced concerns about the timing, intent and potential misuse of the new force.
“There is always a risk of such a force being misused in Pakistan,” Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president of the Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), told Arab News.
“The Frontier Constabulary was already under federal control, so it’s unclear why this transformation was necessary, especially at a time when the country’s major opposition party has announced a protest movement.”
Ather Kazmi, an analyst and political commentator, said the urgency with which the revamp was carried out through an ordinance had raised many eyebrows.
“Although the government claimed it was an administrative necessity, its timing and urgency have led PTI and others to believe it has political purposes,” he told Arab News.
Kazmi said it remained to be seen how the new force would operate after its jurisdiction was extended nationwide, given that law and order became a provincial subject after the 18th amendment of the Constitution of Pakistan.
“It would not be easy for the government to deploy this force in provinces governed by the opposition, such as KP,” he noted.
ISLAMABAD: The United Nations (UN) World Food Program and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) have launched a $9.8 million project in Pakistan aimed at protecting flood-prone communities in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistani state media reported on Tuesday.
Titled the “Integrated Climate Risk Management for Strengthened Resilience to Climate” project, the initiative aims to help flood-prone communities cope with extreme weather by installing early warning systems such as weather stations and river-level monitors.
Pakistan is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and its 240 million residents are facing extreme weather events with increasing frequency.
In 2022, unprecedented monsoon floods submerged a third of Pakistan and killed 1,700 people, with some areas still recovering from the damage. This year, more than 110 people have been killed and over 200 injured in rain-related incidents across the country.
“The initiative funded by the GCF with $9.8 million will directly benefit 1.6 million people in Buner and Shangla districts of KP province, two areas highly vulnerable to climate shocks,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported on Tuesday.
The project will help improve coordination among government departments and enhance capacity of local authorities and emergency teams through targeted trainings and essential equipment, according to the report.
This will ensure timely and effective responses to climate-related emergencies and faster communication of alerts to communities at risk. People will be trained to interpret warnings issued by the weather systems to evacuate safely and take measures to protect their farms and homes before disasters strike.
“Recurring climate shocks are a driver of hunger and malnutrition, threatening lives, livelihoods and entire food systems,” WFP Pakistan Representative and Country Director Coco Ushiyama was quoted as saying.
“This project represents a multi-layered investment, not only in early warning systems and anticipatory action, but also in local adaptation planning and institutional capacity.”
The initiative supports the UN-backed GCF’s Strategic Plan 2024–2027 by addressing urgent adaptation needs in underserved areas, bridging critical capacity gaps in flood preparedness and strengthening community resilience.
