Govt approves as much as 262% hike in prices of almost 100 medicines

The federal government has approved as much as 262% hike in the prices of almost 100 local and imported medicines in Pakistan, a notification issued Thursday read, with Prime Minister Imran Khan's aide on health saying it was necessary to ensure the drugs were "affordable to everyone".

According to the notification, the prices of some 94 medicines were jacked up by at least 9% and as much as 262%, further aggravating the plight of the common people in the country.

The new prices, and a copy of the notification. Drugs that became costlier included those used to treat fever, headache, heart diseases, malaria, diabetes, sore throat, flu, abdominal and stomach pains, skin diseases, postpartum issues, and eye, ear, tooth, mouth, and blood infections, as well as certain antibiotics.

Among these were 68 local medicines and 26 imported ones, the notification read, citing declining availability of medicines in the market, a rise in the value of the dollar, and costlier raw materials as the factors that contributed to the medicines becoming costlier.

However, it added that pharmaceutical companies would not be allowed to raise prices further until June 2021.

Speaking to the media, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said drugs that were more expensive now "are the life-saving ones and those with old formulas".

"These drugs become unavailable due to a lack of appropriate change in their prices and end up being sold on the black market," Dr Sultan said.

"It was important to ensure that the prices of medicines be affordable to everyone," he added, noting that drugs available at higher prices earlier will now be readily available instead.

The job of the government and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), he explained, was to ensure the availability of medicines to everyone in the country.

The SAPM said the prices of such medicines had to be bumped up slightly, "just enough to make sure they are available to the common people".

Addressing an assumption that the federal government may have given in to drug-makers' demands, he said: "We did now bow down to pressure from pharmaceutical companies.

Dr Sultan said a list of medicines that have become costlier would be posted on the website.

"We are working on a new pricing policy," he explained, adding that the government was bringing reforms in all health institutions.

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Afghan peace process; Spoilers can pose 'formidable challenges: FM Quresh

Talking about the Afghan peace process, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday warned against "spoilers from within and without", adding that they will pose formidable challenges for peace to prevail in the region.

"Constant vigilance will be required to guard against their machinations," said the foreign minister, referring to the spoilers in the Afghan peace process as he addressed the ministers' conference.

Qureshi said that Pakistan was happy it had played its role in facilitating peace talks between the Taliban and the US in Doha earlier this year, calling on all parties and stakeholders in the Afghanistan peace process to seize this "historic opportunity" for peace in the country.

The foreign minister addressed the Kashmir issue, stating that sustainable peace in the region would remain a 'dream' unless the Kashmir dispute was not resolved according to the United Nations' resolutions.

"The unprecedented, brutal and inhumane siege and communications blockade, especially since India's illegal and unilateral August 5 move has destroyed lives," he said.

Afghan government mounts pressure on Taliban for truce

The government of Afghanistan and the Taliban, after waging war against each other for 19 years, have finally come to the table for talks in hopes to ensure durable peace in the country.

Multiple rounds of talks since last year have taken place in Doha between the two parties with Pakistan facilitating the truce and the US eager for an exit from the war-ravaged country.

The Taliban, who fought a years-long guerrilla campaign against American and Afghan forces after they were forced from power in a 2001 US-led invasion, did not mention a truce as they came to the negotiating table a few weeks ago.

Afghan presidential spokesman Sediq Seddiqi had earlier tweeted that the presence of government negotiators at the talks "is aimed at achieving a ceasefire, ending the violence and ensuring lasting peace and stability in the country."

The head of the peace process for the Afghan government, Abdullah Abdullah, had earlier suggested the Taliban could offer a ceasefire in exchange for the release of more of their jailed fighters.

Delegates have warned that negotiations, which take place even as fighting continues in Afghanistan, would be arduous and messy.

"We will undoubtedly encounter many challenges in the talks over the coming days, weeks and months," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said during a visit to Doha Sunday.

He also urged the warring sides to "seize this opportunity" to secure peace.

 

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Former cricketer Dean Jones, passes away after cardiac arrest

Former Australian cricket legend Dean Jones has passed away in Mumbai on Thursday.

The 59-year-old was in India to cover the ongoing 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a commentator where he reportedly suffered a sudden heart attack which proved fatal.

Jones also worked with the Islamabad United franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and guided the team to their second title.

He was the coach of the Karachi Kings franchise during the PSL 2020 and was expected to return to Pakistan for the remainder of the match in November later this year.

Jones represented Australia in 52 Tests and 164 ODIs where he has managed to score 9,699 runs, which included 18 centuries and 60 half-centuries.

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We demand free and fair elections in Gilgit Baltistan: Bilawal Bhutto

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday demanded “free and fair elections” in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) so that the people of the region can “decide their own future”.

In a series of tweets, Bilawal reminded the people that former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1974 had introduced reforms in GB by abolishing the Frontier Crimes Regulation Act and Raajgi System in the region.

He added that his mother and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 1994 had given the first legal framework order and, then in 2009, former president Asif Ali Zardari gave “GB its name, empowered its assembly & more”.

“I promised more rights to the people of GB in our 2018 election manifesto. We now demand free & fair elections in GB so the people of GB can decide their own future,” said Bilawal. He added that the PPP would run its 2020 election in the region on “the same manifesto” to make “GB’s dream a reality”.

He also asked people to download the PPP manifesto 2018 and see the reforms that his party has promised for GB.

The PPP chairman took to Twitter to announce the start of his party's campaign for the GB polls a day after President Arif Alvi approved general elections of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly on November 15.

The president signed the summary sent for approval by the Prime Minister, the President House said.

The GB Legislative Assembly was dissolved on completion of its term on June 24, after which a caretaker government was formed.

The earlier scheduled elections for August 18 were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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We demand free and fair elections in Gilgit Baltistan: Bilawal Bhutto

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday demanded “free and fair elections” in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) so that the people of the region can “decide their own future”.

In a series of tweets, Bilawal reminded the people that former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1974 had introduced reforms in GB by abolishing the Frontier Crimes Regulation Act and Raajgi System in the region.

He added that his mother and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 1994 had given the first legal framework order and, then in 2009, former president Asif Ali Zardari gave “GB its name, empowered its assembly & more”.

“I promised more rights to the people of GB in our 2018 election manifesto. We now demand free & fair elections in GB so the people of GB can decide their own future,” said Bilawal. He added that the PPP would run its 2020 election in the region on “the same manifesto” to make “GB’s dream a reality”.

He also asked people to download the PPP manifesto 2018 and see the reforms that his party has promised for GB.

The PPP chairman took to Twitter to announce the start of his party's campaign for the GB polls a day after President Arif Alvi approved general elections of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly on November 15.

The president signed the summary sent for approval by the Prime Minister, the President House said.

The GB Legislative Assembly was dissolved on completion of its term on June 24, after which a caretaker government was formed.

The earlier scheduled elections for August 18 were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Saeed Ghani directs educational institutions to ensure implementation on SOPs

Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani on Thursday paid surprise visits to various schools and colleges in the district east of the metropolis to review implementation on the health-related guidelines to contain coronavirus.

The minister reviewed the arrangements at the educational institutions and directed to ensure social distancing and implementation on the SOPs.

Talking to newsmen, Saeed Ghani urged the educational institutions to complete their arrangements before September 28 and added to call students in two shifts, if the number of the students is high.
Vowing not to comprise on the health of the students, the Sindh minister said strict action would be taken against the educational institutions if the designed SOPs were neglected.

Saeed Ghani also said that show-cause notices would be served to the ghost teachers.

On Wednesday, Secondary schools in Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir reopened as students from classes six to eight returned to their schools after nearly six months.

In Sindh, however, classes for graders six to eight will start from September 28.

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Saeed Ghani directs educational institutions to ensure implementation on SOPs

Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani on Thursday paid surprise visits to various schools and colleges in the district east of the metropolis to review implementation on the health-related guidelines to contain coronavirus.

The minister reviewed the arrangements at the educational institutions and directed to ensure social distancing and implementation on the SOPs.

Talking to newsmen, Saeed Ghani urged the educational institutions to complete their arrangements before September 28 and added to call students in two shifts, if the number of the students is high.
Vowing not to comprise on the health of the students, the Sindh minister said strict action would be taken against the educational institutions if the designed SOPs were neglected.

Saeed Ghani also said that show-cause notices would be served to the ghost teachers.

On Wednesday, Secondary schools in Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir reopened as students from classes six to eight returned to their schools after nearly six months.

In Sindh, however, classes for graders six to eight will start from September 28.

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