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PM SHEHBAZ KICKS OFF YEAR’S FINAL ANTI-POLIO DRIVE AMID RISING CASES Monday, 16 December, 2024 I 13 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446
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WE WILL WIN THIS WAR AGAINST POLIO DESPITE DIFFICULTIES FACED IN THE PAST: PREMIER
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 160 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
ANTI-POLIO CAMPAIGN BEGINS TODAY ACROSS 143 DISTRICTS IN COUNTRY
POLIO CASES RISE TO 63 WITH VIRUS DETECTED IN EIGHT MORE DISTRICTS ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday launched the last anti-polio campaign of the year to ensure the complete eradication of polio from the country amidst a sharp rise in cases. The last anti-polio campaign of 2024 is set to begin on Monday (tomorrow) across 143 districts in the country, aims at addressing the alarming rise in polio cases and ensuring maximum immunisation coverage, the government announced on Sunday. Speaking at the launch ceremony of the anti-polio drive in Islamabad on Sunday, PM Shehbaz said, “We will win this war (against polio) despite the difficulties faced in the past, polio cases increased and approximately 60 cases in Pakistan have come forward which is a great challenge and matter of great concern.” The prime minister personally administered polio drops to children at the ceremony. PM Shehbaz also appealed to parents across the country, saying, “I would like to respectfully request the parents to help us in this campaign and by giving polio drops to their children to safeguard their future.” “I would like to acknowledge with a deep sense of gratitude the efforts of our international partners, Bill Gates Foundation, World Health Organisation and
the Government of Saudi Arabia,” the prime minister added. The development comes as the tally of polio cases nationwide rose to 63. The virus has been detected in eight more districts, bringing the affected districts to 83 this year. The virus has also reached the previously uninfected district of Charsada in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, in a pre-recorded message, said the “last anti-polio campaign of the year 2024 is being launched from December 16.” An accompanying statement from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) said that the campaign would continue “in 143 specific districts of the country from December 16 to 22.” The statement added that more than 44 million children will be vaccinated against polio in this campaign. “As a mother, I appeal to you to open your doors to polio workers,” Farooq said in her statement, adding that the polio vaccine is completely safe, effective, and provided free of charge. She said that for immunisation to protect against polio and other deadly diseases, it was essential to complete the course of vaccinations. She also paid tribute to the frontline polio workers serving in difficult conditions, adding, “our frontline workers are the real heroes in the ongoing struggle against polio.”
Petrol rate unchanged, high-speed diesel slashed by Rs3.05 per litre ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
The government has announced fuel price adjustments for the next fortnight, with petrol prices remaining unchanged, however, the price of high-speed diesel reduced by Rs3.05 per litre, effective from midnight Sunday. According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance, the price of petrol will remain unchanged at Rs252.10 per litre. However, the government has decided to reduce the price of high-speed diesel by Rs3.05 per litre, bringing the new price to Rs255.38 per litre. The prices of kerosene and light diesel were also reduced, with kerosene now priced at Rs161.66 per litre, down by Rs3.32, and light diesel at Rs148.95 per litre, a decrease of Rs2.78. The statement said that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had worked out the consumer prices of petroleum products as per variation in the oil price in the international market. Diesel is mainly used in transport and agriculture sectors and the reduction will have a disinflationary impact on consumers. The announcement follows a previous price hike for petrol and diesel in early December, with petrol increasing by Rs3.72 per litre and high-speed diesel rising by 3.29 rupees per litre. In addition, light diesel oil was reduced by 48 paisa per litre, bringing the new price to Rs151.73. Kerosene oil was also made cheaper by 62 paisa per litre, now priced at Rs164.98. The Ministry of Finance’s latest notification states that these revised prices will come into effect at midnight and will remain valid for the next 15 days.
Pakistan takes pride in friendship with Saudi Arabia: Naqvi ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Saudi Minister of State for Interior Dr Khalid Mohammed Abdullah Al Battal here on Sunday. On his arrival, he was warmly welcomed by the Saudi Minister of State for Interior Dr. Khalid Mohammed Abdullah Al Battal and Pakistani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest and Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations were discussed in detail. Mohsin Naqvi felicitated the Saudi leadership and the people on being awarded the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup and expressed good wishes for the event. He said that Saudi Arabia is a brotherly Islamic country and Pakistan’s most trusted friend, adding that Pakistan takes pride in this friendship. The Interior minister further stated that Saudi Arabia has always shown immense love and sincerity towards Pakistan. He also appreciated Mohsin Naqvi appreciated Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s vision of 2030 which paves the way for achieving progress and prosperity. The Saudi Minister of State for Interior said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are enjoying very close and cordial relations. He expressed the hope that important meetings with Saudi officials during the visit of Interior Minister will further enhance ties between the two countries. Naqvi visits Saudi Arabia’s Public Security Police Headquarters Later, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Saudi Arabia’s Public Security Police Headquarters in Riyadh on Sunday. Saudi Arabia’s Public Security chief Lt. Gen. Mohammed AlBassami welcomed the Pakistani interior minister to the headquarters.
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Nation standing firm against terrorism: PM ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the whole nation was standing against coward terrorists as a wall of fortified steel and will remain standing and would not forget the tragedy of attack on Army Public School, Peshawar on December 16, 2014. In a message on the 10th anniversary of tragedy of Army Public School, he said today ten years had passed after an unforgettable tragedy and loss of lives at Army Public School and “our heart is still in grief and we are shedding tears of blood”.
It was a tragic event which brought grief to our hearts, he remembered. On December 16, 2014 coward, cruel and barbaric terrorists entered Army Public School and while causing death and destruction took away lives of 144 innocent children, he recalled. He said most of the children who fell victims to this barbarity were small children who departed the world leaving people in grief. Their lives, dreams, hopes and future were taken away from them, he said adding, “We cannot forget the loss of these children despite the passage of all this time.”
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One Pakistani dead, 47 rescued in Greece boat tragedy
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ISLAMABAD newS DeSk
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) confirmed on Sunday that one Pakistani national was among those who perished in a tragic boat capsizing incident off the southern Greek island of Gavdos, while 47 other Pakistanis were rescued. The Greek coastguard reported that the boat, which was carrying several Pakistani migrants, capsized on Saturday, resulting in the drowning of at least five people, with many still missing. Search operations continued throughout the weekend, involving coastguard boats, merchant vessels, an Italian frigate, and naval aircraft, though the exact number of missing persons is still being determined. In separate incidents, a Malta-flagged cargo vessel rescued 47 migrants about 40 nautical miles off Gavdos, and another tanker rescued 88 migrants some 28 nautical miles from the island. The rescued individuals were transferred to Crete. By Sunday evening, MoFA issued a statement confirming the identities of the 47 rescued Pakistanis, based on interviews conducted by the Pakistani Em-
bassy in Athens and information shared by Greek authorities. The Ministry has activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to assist those affected and urged families of missing individuals to contact the Embassy of Pakistan in Athens. The Embassy is working closely with Greek authorities to coordinate the search and provide support to the rescued Pakistanis. Officials from the Embassy have already traveled to Crete to offer further assistance to those rescued. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life, emphasizing the need to address the ongoing issue of human trafficking. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his condolences, instructing authorities to take swift action and initiate an inquiry into the incident. He vowed that the government would make every effort to bring the survivors back home and take stringent action against those responsible for trafficking in humans. This incident is part of a growing pattern of migrant boat accidents, as human traffickers continue to operate across the globe despite strict laws and enforcement measures.
Cell set up at Pakistani Embassy to tackle Greece boat capsizing incident ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the establishment of a special cell at the Pakistani Embassy in Greece to handle the emergency situation caused by the boat capsizing incident. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also activated its Crisis Management Unit in Islamabad to support Pakistanis affected by the incident in Greece. The special cell at the embassy will assist in identifying the Pakistani nationals involved and facilitate communication between their families and the victims. So far, 47 Pakistanis have been identified and rescued from the incident. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar is personally overseeing the efforts to identify and assist the affected individuals. The Pakistani Embassy in Greece has set up a WhatsApp facility at +306943850188 to help identify the victims of the tragic boat incident. Following the Prime Minister’s immediate orders, the Pakistani Embassy in Greece has contacted the relevant Greek authorities to address the situation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his condolences to the victims and their families and vowed to bring those responsible for human trafficking to justice. The Prime Minister assured that the Pakistani government and the embassy will extend all possible support to the victims and their families. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has continued its coordination with the embassy to provide assistance to Pakistani nationals in Greece. According to the Ministry’s statement, the embassy in Athens is in constant communication with the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Coast Guard of Chania, who are directly involved in the search and rescue operation. Embassy officials have also traveled to Crete Island to meet the rescued individuals and offer further support. Pakistani nationals in Greece and their families can contact the Crisis Management Unit in Islamabad at 051-9207887 or email cmu1@mofa.gov.pk. Families of the missing individuals can also reach out to the Embassy at +306943850188 to provide details.
Several hundred feared dead after Cyclone Chido hits France’s Mayotte MAYOTTE, FRANCE agencieS
Cyclone Chido, the most severe storm to hit the French archipelago of Mayotte in 90 years, has left devastation in its wake, with authorities fearing the death toll could reach “several hundred” or even higher. According to media reports, Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville suggested the death toll might be in the thousands, though a specific number could not yet be confirmed. At least 11 deaths have been confirmed, but officials have warned it is difficult to ascertain the full scale of the destruction, particularly due to the island’s burial customs, which see the dead buried within 24 hours. The storm, which battered Mayotte on Saturday, brought winds exceeding 200km/h (124mph), destroying homes, government buildings, and a hospital. “Everyone understands that this was a cyclone that was unexpectedly violent,” said French Prime Minister François Bayrou after an inter-ministerial meeting. Chido’s impact on the French territory in the Indian Ocean is being compounded by concerns over access to essential services such as food, water, and sanitation.
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