Pakistan reports 18th polio case of 2024

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday reported another polio case as a two-year-old Quetta boy has been confirmed to be infected with the virus, ARY News reported citing the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) for polio sources.

According to NEOC sources, this is the 18th polio case that has been reported in Pakistan so far this year out of which 14 emerged from Balochistan alone.

NECO Focal Person Dr. Ayesha Raza Farooq said that polio vaccination campaigns faced disruptions in certain areas of Balochistan, creating an opportunity for the virus to spread.

She stressed the importance of ensuring multiple doses of the vaccine reach every child, urging that it is crucial for eradication efforts

Earlier on September 5, the National Institute of Health (NIH) presented detailed statistics on polio cases in Pakistan before the National Assembly.

According to the NIH, a total of 45 polio cases have been reported across Pakistan over the past four years.

In 2021, only one polio case was reported, while the number surged to 20 in 2022, the written statement of the NIH read.

During 2023, eight new cases of polio were recorded, followed by 16 cases in 2024, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health.

In 2022, $180 million were allocated for the National Polio Eradication Program, while in 2023, the budget increased to $187 million. For the ongoing year 2024, the program has been allocated $80 million.

The ministry further highlighted that since January 2022, a total of $447 million has been spent on polio eradication efforts, underscoring the government’s commitment to eliminating the disease from the country.

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Abid Zuberi makes revelations about SC’s future after constitutional amendments

Senior lawyer Abid Zuberi has made shocking revelations about the future of Supreme Court (SC) after the passage of the proposed constitutional amendments.

The government’s efforts to get pass the constitutional amendments have been delayed as the treasury benches ‘failed’ in appeasing Fazlur Rehman.

In ARY News’ program Bakhabar Savera, lawyer Abid Zuberi revealed that they had received the draft of the constitutional amendments, and the tweaks are so alarming that reading them would frighten anyone.

Zuberi stated that after these amendments, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would have no powers left.

The prominent lawyer mentioned that the powers of the Supreme Court and High Courts are being stripped to establish a federal constitutional court, where judges would be appointed by the president, the prime minister, and the Parliament.

He further said that under the new amendments, the age limit for a federal constitutional court judge would be 68 years, and the term for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would be 3 years. If the Chief Justice turns 65 before the term ends, they would no longer hold the position.

Abid Zuberi revealed that under Article 190 of the Constitution, everyone is bound to follow the Supreme Court’s orders. However, the term “Supreme Court” has been removed and replaced with “Federal Constitutional Court,” thus diminishing the status of the Supreme Court.

Following these amendments, the Supreme Court’s status will be reduced to that of a civil court, and the position of the Chief Justice will be equivalent to that of a civil court judge, he claimed.

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Constitutional amendments not possible without Fazlur Rehman’s support, says Bilawal

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has stated that passing constitutional amendments without taking JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman into confidence is impossible.

In an exclusive conversation with ARY News, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, Bilawal Bhutto, said that JUI-F is also preparing its own constitutional amendments draft.

“Our effort is to create consensus, and it is important to engage with Maulana Fazlur Rehman and if he agrees, it won’t take more than a month or two to proceed.”

Bilawal Bhutto said that in order to bring Maulana Fazlur Rehman on board, we will have to incorporate his suggestions.

He mentioned that during the first meeting with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, he had many concerns, and 20 to 25 percent of my party’s concerns were also addressed by the government.

“Obviously, if we accept the government’s points, they will also have to accept ours.”

Read more: Mansoor Ali Shah will be next chief justice of Pakistan: Bilawal Bhutto

Bilawal Bhutto added that the PPP also desires to present its own draft for the constitutional amendments. We want PTI’s input on the reforms as well, he added.

The PPP chairman said that in their draft, there was no point regarding the age of judges, while the government’s proposed draft included a point related to judges’ age.

The government’s suggestion regarding the Supreme Court was to set the age limit for judges at 67 and the tenure at 3 years, while JUI’s proposal was to keep the age limit for judges at 65, the PPP chief said.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari mentioned that JUI’s proposal was unique in suggesting the formation of a separate committee for the appointment of judges, which would include parliamentary members, judges, and members of the bar.

He added that we had also agreed with JUI’s proposal. We believed that the government and Maulana Fazlur Rehman were on board.

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TV anchor’s home robbed in Karachi

KARACHI: A private TV anchor’s home in Shah Faisal Colony was reportedly robbed, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

However, the swift action of local police led to the arrest of the main suspect within hours.

According to SSP Korangi, Tauheed Rehman, the suspect, identified as Nabeel, was apprehended after a rapid investigation.

Police recovered stolen goods and cash from Nabeel’s possession, and a case has been registered against him.

Authorities have commended the prompt efforts of law enforcement in resolving the incident efficiently.

Last week, in a brave act of resistance, a watchman thwarted a robbery attempt in a factory located in Ahsanabad area of Karachi.

As per the details, a total of four armed robbers tried to force their way into the factory but they faced resistance by the factory guard.

The enraged robbers fired at the watchman before fleeing the scene.

Police pursued the fleeing suspects and successfully apprehended one of them, who was injured during the chase. However, three of the robbers managed to escape.

DSP Sohrab Goth confirmed that the arrested suspect confessed that the gang targeted the factory upon learning that salaries were going to be distributed that day.

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Mansoor Ali Shah will be next chief justice of Pakistan: Bilawal Bhutto

KARACHI: Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, expressed his opinion that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah would be the next Chief Justice of Pakistan, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

In an exclusive conversation with ARY News, Bilawal emphasized that both the current and incoming Chief Justices are highly respected figures.

He criticized the current functioning of the parliament and the slow justice system, recalling that his family waited 50 years for a verdict in the Zulfikar Bhutto murder case.

Bilawal called for caution in making the Supreme Court’s judges controversial and stressed the need for consensus in any constitutional amendments.

“This is not an ordinary constitutional amendment, which is why we want to create a consensus,” he said, adding that amendments made in the past often lost significance or were overturned.

He praised Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s willingness to reduce his own powers and respect the Parliament’s Practice and Procedure Bill.

Bilawal also mentioned that two proposals related to the military trial of civilians were included in recent discussions.

He added that the PPP has opposed military courts since the beginning. He acknowledged suggestions that those involved in attacks on military installations should face trial in military courts, but stated he was ready to reconsider my stance and engage with the government.

Bilawal also mentioned listening to the concerns of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and agreed that the government should reconsider amending Article 8 of the Constitution at this time.

He reiterated his party’s position, emphasizing that any changes to Article 8 should be postponed.

He called on the government to present evidence related to the May 9 events involving the founder of PTI, ensuring that the matter is handled legally.

“The court’s decision regarding military courts should be followed,” he stated.

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CAA likely to extend age limit for recruitment of directors

KARACHI: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Board of Directors held its first meeting discussing the age limit for the recruitment of directors and flight inspectors, ARY News reported on Monday.

The meeting, chaired by Secretary Aviation Ahsan Mangi, it was proposed to extend the age limit for the recruitment of directors and flight inspectors on contract from 60 to 65 years.

This proposal aims to allow the continued service of retired CAA directors.

On the recommendation of the DG-CAA, the board has referred the matter to the executive committee for approval.

The meeting also discussed the resumption of flights from Pakistan to European countries as a session with European Union officials is scheduled for September 18 and 19 to discuss this matter.

Additionally, the resumption of flights to the UK will be addressed in January next year following a meeting with British authorities.

The decision to hold the board meeting at the Pakistan Airports Authority headquarters, rather than at CAA, was noted with some surprise by several officers. The meeting lasted for three hours.

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SSP, DC among officials removed in Jacobabad polio worker case

KARACHI: The Sindh government on Monday removed Jacobabad’s Deputy Commissioner (DC), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and District Health Officer (DHO) over their ‘negligence’ that led to the alleged rape of a polio worker, ARY News reported.

According to notifications issued here, the deputy commissioner and district health officer have been removed from their respective positions.

The SSP Jacobabad has been directed to report CPO while the deputy commissioner is directed to report services general administration.

Earlier on Saturday, the lady polio worker told Jacobabad court that she was raped but police forced her to change the statement. The polio worker was allegedly raped last week in Allah Bux Jakhrani village.

The sessions judge Jacobabad had summoned the rape victim polio worker and the police in the court.

The police officials confessed that the influential people had intervened, and the victim’s statement was changed from abduction and rape to robbery.

“Accused Ahmed Jakhrani has been arrested,” SSP Jacobabad told the court.

DNA samples have been sent to a laboratory for tests. A four-member joint investigation team has been constituted for investigation of the crime, police told the court. The JIT will submit its report to the court within 14 days.

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