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Sunday, November 28, 2021

Punjab continue to see a sharp rise in air pollution

Parts of Punjab continue to see a sharp rise in air pollution from the smoke residue of burning crops, brick kilns and chimneys of industries.

It is being reported that air pollution is on the rise in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Bahawalpur.

Police have been directed to take joint action with the district administration and agencies to curb the dangerous levels of smog in the province.
Over 135 cases were registered last week against people for spreading pollution in Punjab. At least 116 arrests were made after these cases were registered.

Meanwhile, Lahore again ranked number one among the most polluted cities in the world today. Until recently, Karachi was ranked 12th. Schools will remain closed for the third day today to reduce air pollution in Lahore, while 50% attendance has been directed in private offices.

Fog, too, has increased in the plains of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, due to which road traffic is being affected.

Motorway M1 from Peshawar to Rashkai has been closed due to fog. According to the motorway police, this measure has been taken for the safety of motorway users. As soon as the intensity of the fog decreases, the motorway will be opened for traffic. People have been asked to use the Citizen GT Road as an alternative route.

Motorway M3 from Faizpur to Jaranwala has been closed too. People have been instructed to avoid unnecessary travel in foggy weather.

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Pakistan reports 176 corona cases in a day

Coronavirus cases have fallen to their lowest level in more than one-and-a-half years in Pakistan as 176 new cases were recorded during the last 24 hours on Monday.

The last time the country saw a daily case count lower than today's was on April 5 when Pakistan recorded 172 cases.

Pakistan reported nine coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours. In total, Pakistan has reported 1,284,365 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 28,709 total confirmed COVID-related deaths, according to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) data.
During the same period, 172 people recovered from coronavirus, taking the tally for recoveries to 1,241,761. This placed the total number of active cases at 13,895, of which there is only one critical case.

The positivity rate stood below 1% for the 10th consecutive day at 0.59%.

Pakistan is reporting 331 new infections on average each day, 6% of the peak — the highest daily average reported on June 17.

Pakistan has administered at least 122,319,215 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 28.2% of the country’s population.

During the last week reported, Pakistan averaged about 261,235 doses administered each day. At that rate, it will take a further 166 days to administer enough doses for another 10% of the population.

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Fawad Chaudhry asks PML-N if 'buying votes for Rs2,000' equals respecting votes

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in reaction to a viral video of voters being allegedly bribed ahead of Lahore's NA-133 by-election, has asked whether "buying votes for Rs2,000" is how respect is accorded to the vote.

His remarks, during a rally in Pind Dadan Khan, Jhelum, were in reference to the PML-N mantra "vote ko izzat do", meaning "respect the vote".

The war for votes between PML-N and PPP in Lahore's NA-133, where a by-election is due on December 5, has gone beyond the constituency to social media, where a viral video appeared to show voters being bribed by party members.

Both parties have blamed each other's workers for the alleged move.

"Is buying votes for Rs2,000 respecting the vote?" Chaudhry asked.

He accused PML-N of contesting the elections with the lure of money.

"PML-N won the 1990 general election of 1990 through rigging", the minister added.

He said that the PTI is currently focusing its energies on the local government elections.

"We are not worried about the next general elections. Currently [our] focus is on the local government elections," Chaudhry said.

He said that the PTI will complete the current tenure and claim victory in the next general election as well.

The information minister went on to say that PML-N and PPP "become the most panicky" whenever there's talk of introducing electronic voting machines.

While referring to the ongoing controversy regarding the recently leaked audio clip allegedly featuring former chief justice Saqib Nisar, Chaudhry said that "whenever a case against PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif or PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz is scheduled for hearing, something is leaked".

"PML-N should start making films instead of [participating in] politics," the minister said, in further criticism.

Chaudhry said that the state's institutions cannot be blackmailed and that "PML-N doesn't have any choice except for providing receipts or going to jail".

Speaking about PPP, the minister said that the party "doesn't have votes anywhere else except for interior Sindh".

"PPP is no more the party Benazir Bhutto formed. It is the party of Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari," he added.

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Karachi's new population census will be completed by December 2022: Asad Umar

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Sunday said that Karachi's new population census will be completed by December 2022.

Umar, while addressing a PTI's workers' convention in Karachi, said that the census has always been a problem in Karachi.

He said that a complaint was received that the people of Karachi are not able to find employment at which, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that census should be conducted every five years.

"A fair and transparent census will be conducted in Karachi," Umar said.

The minister further stated that the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project will be completed within 10-12 days.

Umar said that the PTI-led government will resolve Karachi's transport issues as he announced that PM Imran Khan will inaugurate the project in Karachi in two weeks.

"PM Imran Khan is coming [to Karachi] to solve the transportation issues of the citizens of Karachi," said Umar.

He said that "Karachi's journey towards development has begun".

Speaking about the local government system in Sindh, Umar said that it doesn't empower people.

He said that the PTI has filed a petition in court regarding the system.

The minister further stated that the education, health, transport, tourism and water supply and sewerage departments will work under the mayor in Islamabad.

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Pakistan and Turkey agreed to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation

Pakistan and Turkey on Sunday agreed to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation at a meeting of President Arif Alvi with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ashgabat on his visit to Turkmenistan.

The two leaders concurred to further strengthen the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) to achieve its objectives and underlined the need for collective efforts of the region, particularly of the Islamic countries, to stop Islamophobia.

President Alvi said there was a need to work together to tackle the challenges faced by the region. He thanked the Turkish President for Turkey’s principled stance on the issue of Kashmir.

Earlier, President Alvi also met Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and exchanged views on bilateral ties, trade and economic cooperation.

He stressed the need for increasing political contacts between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

The leaders agreed to further strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation at the regional and international forums.

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