Category: 1. Pakistan

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday ordered the arrest of two officials and suspended three doctors at Pakpattan’s District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, following the deaths of 20 infants.

An internal inquiry committee — formed to probe the deaths of only five children on June 19 — reported the deaths of 20 children, raising many serious questions. The findings confirmed that 15 of the 20 deceased were neonates and newborn babies, while all 20 deaths occurred between June 16 and June 22.

A three-member external inquiry committee was formed to investigate the incident, particularly the reported oxygen failure, links between the fatalities and systemic shortcomings and the hospital’s emergency response.

A statement issued today said that during a five-hour visit to the hospital, CM Maryam ordered the arrest of the chief executive officer and medical superintendent. She also suspended and launched inquiries against three pediatric doctors for alleged negligence.

Three laboratory technicians were also arrested for referring patients to their privately run labs operating outside hospital premises.

She directed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Maria Tariq to relinquish her charge and report to the Services and General Administration Department.

Upon arrival, CM Maryam was briefed on the preliminary findings of the two external inquiry committee reports.

A representative from the provincial health department and Sahiwal Commissioner Asif Tufail presented the final report. Commissioner Tufail revealed that many infant deaths were linked to the referral of critical newborns from an unregistered private maternity hospital run by traditional midwives and quacks.

He confirmed that oxygen shortage was not a factor, citing the availability of 45 oxygen cylinders at the facility.

He further said that the hospital had failed to follow the protocols of the Punjab Healthcare Commission in running as a major facility in the district.

Subsequently, the health department sealed the operating theatres of four unauthorised private hospitals: Al-Farid Hospital, Doctor Hospital, Shahid Hospital and Ali Hospital.

During the briefing, PML-N MPA Choudhry Javed advocated for upgrading the local nursing college, constructing a multipurpose hall and developing the Western Loop Bypass in Pakpattan City. The chief minister assured that development funds would be allocated as needed.

CM Maryam also ordered action against the owner and the in-charge of the hospital’s parking contractor for overcharging Rs50-100 in excess parking fees.

A comprehensive audit of all medical equipment in the DHQ hospital was initiated. She mandated the implementation of emergency response systems, “Code Red” and “Code Blue”, across all public hospitals in Punjab.

CM Maryam visited multiple wards, laboratories, and the medical store, engaging directly with staff, patients and technicians. Some citizens complained that even basic medicines such as aspirin were unavailable in the emergency ward.

She expressed anger and questioned how patients were forced to purchase medicines externally despite a provincial allocation of Rs100 billion for medicines.

The chief minister said that essential drugs were reportedly available in hospital stores but were not reaching patients.

A letter by Senior Head Nurse Salma Tufail had recently surfaced online in which she had warned the hospital medical superintendent of impending oxygen shortage and the urgent need to maintain supply records.

The letter — written in the first week of June — was circulated on social media. It contradicted the statements of the Pakpattan district health authority chief executive officer who had categorically stated that there was no shortage of oxygen in the pediatric ward during the first three weeks of June.

DC Tariq had questioned the letter’s authenticity, stating, “She (Salma Tufail) submitted that oxygen was available and her letter only requested better documentation.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) member states to deepen collaboration in response to pressing regional and global challenges, particularly climate change and geopolitical instability.

Addressing the 17th ECO Summit, the prime minister underscored the urgent need for collective action as ECO member states struggle with the severe consequences of climate change, from melting glaciers and desertification to extreme weather events and declining agricultural productivity.

“These challenges threaten the food security and livelihoods of millions. Pakistan remains among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change,” he said, recalling the catastrophic 2022 floods that displaced over 33 million people in Pakistan.

Just last week, he said several lives were tragically lost in the affected districts of Pakistan. “Pakistan on its part has undertaken a series of climate-related policy initiatives and is aggressively pursuing of 4F plans focusing on resilience, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction,” he added.

The prime minister said in this regard Pakistan proposed the development of low emissions corridors and a regional disaster resilience system.

“A dedicated framework to mobilise climate finance along with regional clean energy corridors and eco-tourism initiatives can further drive inclusive sustainable growth, creating green jobs, especially for youth and women and supporting livelihoods,” the prime minister said.

PM Shehbaz discusses trade, regional peace with Presidents of Turkiye, Iran, Uzbekistan

On the economic front, Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the need to operationalise long-pending agreements under ECO Vision 2025, especially the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) and transport corridors connecting member states.

He referenced ECO’s origins as the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), a partnership between Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey in the 1960s, as a historic blueprint for present-day integration.

“Promotion of trade and investment is key to achieving common goals of regional connectivity, energy security, and economic growth.”

The prime minister thanked ECO member states for designating Lahore as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2027, inviting all delegates to experience Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.

“Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan, will enthral all who visit us. We extend a warm invitation to all member states.”

Pakistan condemns Indian hostilities in IIOJK

The prime minister said that the unprovoked and reckless Indian hostility directed towards Pakistan after an unfortunate incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was yet another attempt to destabilise regional peace.

“The world witnessed the steadfast resolve of our valiant armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir,” the prime minister said.

He also appreciated the support and solidarity extended to Pakistan by the brotherly ECO member states in the aftermath of Indian aggression earlier this year.

He strongly condemned Israel’s barbarism in Gaza, saying “Pakistan stands firmly against those who perpetrated barbaric acts against innocent people anywhere in the world, whether in Gaza or IIOJK or Iran”.

India’s water aggression

The prime minister also drew attention to what he called the “weaponization of water” by India, referencing New Delhi’s alleged violations of the Indus Waters Treaty and the recent ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

“This defiance is completely unacceptable. The Indus waters are a lifeline for Pakistan’s 240 million people. India’s actions amount to aggression.”

He made it clear that under no circumstances can India be permitted to pursue this dangerous part, which will amount to an act of aggression against the people of Pakistan.

PM calls Israeli strikes on Iran ‘unjustified’

Condemning Israel’s recent strike on Iran, the prime minister called it “unlawful, unjustified and uncalled for,” and expressed deep condolences to the Iranian people.

“Pakistan strongly condemns this act of Israeli aggression. We pray for a speedy recovery of our injured brothers and sisters in Iran.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for good governance, pledging strict monitoring of all government departments and firm accountability for non-performance.

Speaking at the KP Good Governance Map ceremony, Gandapur stressed that the plan is action-driven, not symbolic, with equal focus on service delivery and holding officials accountable.

He criticized widespread disregard for departmental Rules of Business and highlighted serious issues in the education sector, including missing furniture and the unexplained disappearance of school washrooms. “No child in my province should be without furniture in school — if there is, then what are we even doing?” he remarked.

Gandapur revealed that the Education Department has Rs 33 billion in its account, yet the current minister was unaware of it. He recalled personally ensuring furniture provision in Dera Ismail Khan schools when he served as a minister, contrasting it with a recent Rs 40 billion demand just for DI Khan schools.

The Chief Minister also alleged misuse of government resources and described a “joint venture of corruption” between bureaucrats and politicians. He warned that departments failing to meet performance standards will be systematically removed.

He further accused the Education Department of embezzling billions annually and demanded transparency in the use of travel allowances and other scattered funds. “We must fix this system together,” he said, calling for immediate reform.

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday warned that India’s weaponisation of water represents a “new and alarming trend” in its hostility towards Pakistan, calling it an act of aggression that must not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Addressing the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Azerbaijan, the premier condemned India’s recent actions following its military escalation earlier this year.

He thanked ECO member states for standing in solidarity with Pakistan amid New Delhi’s aggressive steps, including the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, diplomatic downgrades, and border closures.

Tensions surged after India accused Pakistan of orchestrating the April 22 attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead—an allegation Islamabad categorically rejected as baseless.

Read More: Pakistan, Iran reaffirm commitment to bilateral relations on sidelines of ECO Summit

The crisis peaked in early May, when missile strikes targeted cities across Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties. Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, striking Indian military installations. A US-brokered ceasefire was announced on May 10.

Highlighting the regional impact of India’s actions, the prime minister criticised New Delhi’s defiance of the World Bank-mediated Indus Waters Treaty and its disregard for a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, calling both acts unacceptable.

“The waters of the Indus are the lifeline for Pakistan’s 240 million people,” he said. “Under no circumstances can India be permitted to pursue this dangerous path, which would amount to an act of aggression against the people of Pakistan.”

Turning to economic cooperation, PM Shehbaz emphasised the need to enhance trade and investment to boost regional connectivity. He noted that the ECO Trade Agreement, agreed during the 13th ECO Summit in Islamabad in 2017, remains unimplemented despite the passage of considerable time.

He also addressed the devastating impact of climate change, citing the 2022 floods that affected over 33 million people, destroyed infrastructure, and caused economic losses exceeding $30 billion.

The premier urged regional collaboration to address climate risks, proposing low-emission transport corridors, a regional carbon market platform, and disaster resilience systems.

He also called for a dedicated framework to mobilise climate finance, develop clean energy corridors, and promote eco-tourism for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Condemning recent Israeli strikes on Iran and the continuing violence in Gaza, PM Shehbaz described both as threats to regional peace.

Reiterating Pakistan’s firm stance against violence and oppression worldwide, he said, “We stand united against those committing barbaric acts against innocent people — whether in Gaza, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), or Iran,” he said.

 

The prime minister extended his gratitude to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev for hosting the summit in Khankendi and acknowledged the ECO Secretariat’s efforts in advancing regional cooperation.

He also thanked the people and government of Azerbaijan for their warm hospitality and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and development.

PM Shehbaz expressed appreciation for Lahore being designated the ECO Tourism Capital for 2027, extending an invitation to all member states to visit the cultural heart of Pakistan. He further congratulated Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for being selected for 2028 and 2029, respectively.

Also Read: PM arrives in Azerbaijan for 17th ECO Summit

The premier endorsed Uzbekistan’s Strategic Objective Cooperation 2035, urging member states to unite in the face of global challenges and to channel collective efforts toward economic prosperity and peace.

“Let us unite to face global challenges, direct our energies towards the future, and guarantee progress and prosperity for our people,” he said.

Established in 1985 by Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan, the Economic Cooperation Organization has since expanded to include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The 10-member bloc aims to foster economic, technical, and cultural collaboration across Central and South Asia and the Middle East.

KARACHI: A five-story residential building collapsed in Karachi’s densely populated Lyari neighborhood on Friday, killing at least eight people and trapping many others, in yet another tragedy underscoring the city’s crisis of unsafe, aging structures.

Rescue workers, aided by local residents, scrambled to pull people from the debris of the Fotan Mansion building, recovering both bodies and injured survivors. The collapse took place around 10:30 a.m., jolting the community.

“I suddenly woke up … it felt like there were tremors, like an earthquake,” said Salman Ahmed, who was sleeping in a nearby building at the time of the incident and later rescued two children.

“At the moment the building collapsed, nothing was visible,” he recalled. “There was so much dust and smoke that no one could understand what had happened. “We could hear voices coming from underneath [the rubble].”

It was not immediately clear how many families lived in the building, but residents estimated that around 40 people were inside when it collapsed. Many of the occupants were members of the low-income Hindu minority community.

As of Friday evening, a large rescue operation was still underway, with cranes clearing debris and rescuers working against time to reach those still trapped beneath the rubble.

“They handed me a three-month-old baby girl, she was alive,” said Maya Sham, a relative of a family living in the building. “Right now, two of their sons and three daughters-in-law are still trapped. But we can still hear voices from inside.”

The collapse devastated families like that of Megbhai, a member of the Hindu community, which largely resided in the building.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab confirmed that six people had died and eight were rescued alive. He said the building had long been on the city’s “danger list.”

“This building was declared dangerous, and a couple of notices were issued to the occupants to vacate because of its structure,” Wahab told Arab News at the site. “But unfortunately, people chose to risk their lives, and they did not vacate.”

Pakistan’s largest city — home to over 20 million people — faces a chronic housing shortage. Many low-income residents live in dilapidated buildings that have escaped regular maintenance. Authorities have declared nearly 588 buildings dangerous in Karachi, most in the congested Old City area.

According to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Fotan Mansion had been declared unsafe as far back as 2012.

“This building was declared dangerous by the SBCA in 2012 and had been served multiple notices over the years,” SBCA spokesperson Shakeel Dogar told Arab News. “Before the recent rains, public announcements were also made in the area, but unfortunately, no one was willing to vacate,” he said, adding that it was the responsibility of the district administration to enforce the SBCA’s evacuation directives.

Mayor Wahab said rescue efforts remained the top priority, with accountability and investigation to follow.

“Our administration, our machinery is here on the ground,” he said. “Once we’re done with the rescue aspect, we will focus on who was responsible for this negligence or omission.”

RECURRING TRAGEDY

Friday’s incident is the latest in a string of deadly building collapses in Karachi.

In February 2020, a five-story building collapsed in Rizvia Society, killing at least 27 people. The following month, another residential structure came down in Gulbahar, claiming 16 lives.

In June 2021, a three-story building in Malir collapsed, killing four. And just last year, in August, a building collapse in Qur’angi led to at least three deaths.

Most of these structures had either been declared unsafe or were built without proper approval.

Experts say that despite repeated disasters, there has been little progress in enforcing building codes or relocating residents from hazardous structures.

“The incident of the building collapse in Lyari is deeply tragic,” said Muhammad Hassan Bakhshi, chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD). “It is alarming that despite having a list of dangerous buildings, the SBCA did not take action to get them evacuated.”

He urged the Sindh government to reassess buildings citywide and equip rescue teams with modern tools and technology.

With hundreds of buildings still listed as unsafe, authorities now face mounting pressure to prevent future disasters.

“The way out is that we must follow what the law says,” said Mayor Wahab when asked if anyone would be held accountable. “If citizens don’t listen to us, the political leadership and the administration have to play their part to convince those people.”

“Nobody wants to leave their house… but we must learn from our mistakes and ensure no such untoward incident takes place in the future,” he said.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday issued the long-awaited schedule for Senate elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Punjab, setting July 21 as the polling date for several seats that have remained vacant due to delays stemming from an incomplete electoral college.

According to an official notification, polling for seven general seats, two reserved seats for women, and two for technocrats and ulema from K-P will be held on July 21 at the provincial assembly building in Peshawar.

The elections had earlier been scheduled for April 2, 2024, but were postponed after the K-P Assembly speaker refused to administer oaths to members elected on reserved seats. The impasse left the electoral college incomplete, prompting the ECP to delay the polls.

Read More: ECP restores 74 reserved seats across national, provincial assemblies

In addition, the commission has also announced the election programme for the Senate seat vacated by Dr Sania Nishtar. A public notice will be issued on July 9, while nomination papers can be filed on July 10 and 11. Scrutiny of papers will be conducted on July 16, and polling has been scheduled for July 31.

Meanwhile, the ECP has also resumed the election process for the Senate seat left vacant following the demise of Senator Sajid Mir. These elections were similarly delayed due to the incomplete composition of the electoral college.

As per the revised schedule, the returning officer will release an updated list of candidates on July 15, with the deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers set for July 16. Polling will be held on July 21, at the Punjab Assembly building in Lahore.

Also Read: ECP asks parties to submit financial statements

Separately, the ECP also issued a schedule for the election of two vacant seats reserved for women in the National Assembly from K-P, previously held by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The returning officer will issue a public notice on July 8, with nomination papers to be submitted on July 9 and 10. Scrutiny will take place on July 14, and the final list of candidates will be released on July 24.

The commission noted that the PML-N’s earlier priority list for women’s reserved seats had been exhausted, and the party has been directed to submit a fresh list to the returning officer by July 10.

To facilitate the completion of the electoral college ahead of the Senate elections, the ECP has written to the speakers of the National Assembly and the relevant provincial assemblies, requesting them to administer oaths to newly notified members elected on reserved seats.